Should he stay, or go… secrets, and he arrives at Braxton Ranch on a mission to find answers about his father. He thinks the truth will finally give him the peace to finally move on. He never counted on finding the woman who offered answers to his questions.
Rio’s always had a plan until now. Does he leave Braxton Ranch or stay and build a life he never dreamed possible with a woman he’s afraid he’s falling hard for.
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Second in Braxton Bros Series. I really liked the Chance and Josie story, so when I realized this was next in series I was prepared to like it. I enjoyed all of the returning characters.
This has a great and funny opening. It has a sequence of accidents that have some flow issues, easily overlooked. It has credible issues for Rio to work his way though. It was the Dee issues that dragged a bit and didn’t flow as well. But, I really enjoyed the story.
Rio’s Mother passed away and he was offered a job on the Braxton farm. Rio accepted the job training horses for Chance Braxton so he could meet the Braxtons and find out why his father may have not wanted anything to do with Rio and his mother. Even though his father had passed away as well, Rio wanted to meet the family but he wasn’t sure he was going to tell them who he was.
His father had left instructions with his lawyer about what he wanted his lawyer to do if Rio ever showed up. A really good book and the story telling was done so good that you really felt like you were there, feeling what they felt. An awesome book that I think you will enjoy
Great setting and native American character
I love it
Dee and Rio have a really special story. I’m going to be sad to see the series end but you can believe I will be looking for more books by Deborah Holt
Homeward Bound by Debra Holt is book number two in the Blood Brothers series. This is Rio Montez and Dee McNamara’s story.
Dee and Rio’s story is sweet that has some funny and serious moments. Oh man these two are carrying so much baggage. Once they can put some closure to their baggage they can take a chance on finding true love and happiness.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book but not as much as the first book because of the characters. This is the story of nurse Dee McNamara, a friend of Josie and Chance and the new ranch hand, Rio Montez. Both characters are likable, however he is very aloof and she has trust issues. We learn that Dee had lost her husband and step daughter in a car accident a while back. She learned he had been cheating on her so her trust of men was very limited. Rio’s mother recently passed away. They were very close. After her death he learns about his father and about provisions in his will. This revelation led him to leave his home and seek work on Chance’s ranch.
Dee and Rio have a few interactions, meeting when he arrives in town and she gives him a ride. Another time he ends up in her ER after an accident at the ranch. Then, she is babysitting for Chance and Josie at the ranch while they’re away for a few days and they enjoy a couple of dinners together. They both noticed the chemistry between them but don’t act on it right away. Rio isn’t planning to put down roots in Braxton and Dee isn’t looking for a casual hook up. She doesn’t want a man to lie to her again or cheat on her like her deceased husband. Rio also knows the true reason he picked that ranch to work at and doesn’t want to divulge his secrets. He also realizes that once Dee learns that he has been there under false pretenses and what his secret is, he may lose any chance for a future with her.
The storyline includes some weather related problems that put the characters in danger. It also brings to a head how the secret is revealed. There is quite a bit of angst once Dee learns the truth. It is exciting. I am glad the characters from the first book are included as much as they are. I will look forward to book 3. I imagine it will be Dev’s story.
Homeward Bound, Cowboy by Debra Holt
Should he stay, or go…
Nurse Dee McNamara knew heartbreak and tragedy. She’s a survivor but has built high walls to protect her heart. She takes care of everyone but herself, yet never imagined finding another man she’d be able to trust until one day she offered a ride to a tall, darkly handsome cowboy whose eyes hold the same pain and mistrust.
Rio Montez is a man with secrets, and he arrives at Braxton Ranch on a mission to find answers about his father. He thinks the truth will finally give him the peace to finally move on. He never counted on finding the woman who offered answers to his questions.
Rio’s always had a plan until now. Does he leave Braxton Ranch or stay and build a life he never dreamed possible with a woman he’s afraid he’s falling hard for.
This is Dee McNamara and Rio Montez’s story.
“You lose your horse, cowboy?” The question came with a grin as her head nodded at the saddle. “Something like that.” “Where you headed?” “The Braxton ranch.” “Then that would make you Rio. Hop in.”
Her reply took him by surprise for a moment. He considered it as he opened the rear door and slid his saddle in, then his backpack followed along with his grandfather’s rifle in its fringed ceremonial scabbard.
As soon as he folded his tall frame into the front passenger seat, the jeep took off, leaving him to make a quick grab for the door handle next to him.
Rio Montez hoisted the saddle higher on his shoulder without breaking stride. The long-haul trucker he hitched a ride with had gotten him from the foothills of New Mexico, down across the high plains of the panhandle of Texas, and as far as the turnoff that would lead him toward the entrance of his final destination.
He was used to taking long hikes in rougher terrain, and the final two miles of his journey were of no hindrance to him.
The key was centering one’s mind on another place, another goal, and keeping the momentum moving forward. And the goal that was driving him on this lone walk was a hard taskmaster on his soul.
Homeward Bound, Cowboy by Debra Holt is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Debra’s Books with Tule:
Beware the Ranger
Texas Lawmen
The Lawman’s Apache Moon
Texas Lawmen
Along Came A Ranger
Texas Lawmen
The Sheriff’s Christmas Angels
Texas Lawmen
True Blue Cowboy
Blood Brothers
Homeward Bound, Cowboy
Blood Brothers
Her Secret Cowboy
Blood Brothers
This is the second book in the Blood Brothers series and I would highly recommend reading the first book True Blood Cowboy so you understand the ins and outs of what Rio is talking about with his half brother Chance. Well the half brother who has no idea he has a half brother that is. This is one of those books that has a mysterious element that is not of a dangerous nature. It is all about what the boys’ father did when we was catting about and how they suffered as kids and now as men what they will do. Both men became REAL men (The third Dev we will get his book next) and each is different and yet have touches of the sameness. Dee the local nurse is friends with Chance’s wife and she is always around. This book started off with humor and did drag a bit for me but I kept going and it picked right on up and I liked it at the end. I am so looking forward to seeing where the next book goes and if Marissa plays in it somewhere to and is able to bring the roaming Dev to his knees and home where he belongs with his brothers.
Wonderful read, first page to the last it held me enthralled and stole my heart. I didn’t want it to end, and I can’t wait for the next book of the series Her Secret Cowboy, I’m guessing Marissa and the last single Braxton brother will find each other in this one. Come on APRIL, this old lady can’t wait.
3.5 stars
Although we met Chance’s brother in the first book, True Blue Cowboy, it was obvious by the trajectory of their relationship in that story and the name of this series that there would be at least one unknown brother popping up at some point. And here he is, Rio Montez. Refreshingly, he’s not out for revenge. He just wants to see the life he missed out on, find some peace within himself about how he was left behind. Ultimately, Rio wants closure.
Dee is a sweetheart with a sad story. In my mind, there was something about the way her story unfolded in this book that left me hollow. I wanted more. A lot of time getting bits and pieces along the way works very well in a story. Here, I felt it didn’t do justice to the story. It felt incomplete.
I still felt the beautiful connection Rio and Dee have and wanted more. I loved every time they shared the page and had that push/pull going on between them. I didn’t, on the other hand, always agree with or like how Dee reacted in certain situations. That is one lady who could make an Olympic event out of taking things the wrong way!
While the first 75% of this book kept me fully engaged and loving the characters and story, once the crisis actually occurs, I found myself a bit less invested. I don’t think I’m giving anything away here to say that I knew Dee’s reaction to certain news would be the ultimate issue between her and Rio. But, due to the way Rio went about sharing his story, I felt Dee was way off base. I got annoyed enough with her that I felt that last bit of the book was a bit too long.
Sure, there were things I wasn’t crazy about in this book. But I hope I am conveying that I did like this story a lot. I’m looking forward to the next story, especially once I read the description I have a feeling the last story is going to be quite a ride.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Homeward Bound, Cowboy by Debra Holt was a big surprise. While I thought that I knew whose story this would be I was completely caught off guard, in a good way. It is an extremely enjoyable story. I didn’t realize until reading Rio’s story how attractive a man of few words could be.
Two other characters who fit each other perfectly couldn’t be found any more so than Dee and Rio. Though not seemingly so at first especially in their different opinion about a young deer, Rio and Dee were perfect together. Tragedy had found Dee but still she is such an upbeat personality. Rio, the skeptic, found so much more than answers to his questions he found someone who he could trust. That was a tall order for anyone to fill.
With Homeward Bound, Cowboy, Debra Holt became one of my favorite authors. This is an amazing book with a complex, deeply moving story and memorable characters.
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.
I haven’t read the first book in this series but after reading, “Homeward Bound, Cowboy” I am compelled to because I loved the characters from the previous book. This book features Rio and Dee. I’m going to be careful with this review as there is a bit of a twist and some personal secrets that will be revealed by both hero and heroine as you read along. This book has a steady pace with a good flow, so you won’t wait long as things come to light. However, you might wonder how a happily-ever-after will fit in. At least I wondered.
The premise of this book was one I enjoyed and hate at the same time. I could never understand how family could treat family so poorly. But on the other hand, when the story is of this type of emotional nature, the happy ending is so much more appreciated.
Rio has come to Braxton with an agenda. Get closure and move on. He prefers to wander rather than settle down anywhere. Rio is searching for more than information; he just doesn’t know it yet. I really liked Rio’s character. While he was a bit aloof at times, it was easy to see he was a good person despite the hard times of his youth. Determined to keep his distance from the people he finds himself around, and caring for their wellbeing is not what Rio expects when he takes a job with the Braxton family. Soon enough, Rio’s icy heart begins to melt and he will find himself with decisions to make regarding a future he never expected and is not sure he wants. But there is one thing he wants; one person specifically.
Dee is a nurse and very close friends with the Braxton family. So, visiting the Braxton ranch is a part of her life. This sweet, caring woman has a tragic past. Because of that, Dee is afraid to get too close to any man, and it is very difficult for her to trust. But after she meets Rio, Dee can’t stop the feelings she has regarding this tough, aloof and sometimes rude, cowboy. There is just something about his character that draws her closer, despite her hesitancy.
The chemistry and attraction are present between Dee and Rio from the first moments they meet. That attraction only grows more each time they find themselves in the same room together. As they become closer, the story’s angst builds. By this time in the book, we are aware of Rio’s secret. Dee is not. I won’t tell you the specifics of her reaction when she learns the truth. But from that moment, the book takes a turn and you will be on the end of your seat praying for a happy ending. You will, because these two wonderful characters deserve that. With each other!
This was the first book in the Blood Brothers Series. As I said earlier in my review, I definitely want to read book one. Book three will be coming soon, I hope, and I am looking forward to that. “Homeward Bound, Cowboy” is another enjoyable book from author Debra Holt and I recommend it.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
Horse trainer, Rio Montez, had a secret and it’s what brought him to Texas to work Braxton Ranch. He just wanted to get the information he was seeking and then he would move on to where ever the wind took him. But when he met Dee McNamara, he found a reason to stick around. Or so he thought.
Dee had been hurt in the past and didn’t trust men. Just when she starts to trust Rio, she finds out he kept a secret from her and she calls it quits. They both end up hurt before they finally find a way back to each other. And it was a very sweet and memorable reunion.
I really liked how this book played out. The initial meeting between the characters was a lot of fun and different. I liked the small town ranch life background and how the romance took its time building up. I really didn’t know what to think Rios’s secret was until it was finally revealed. It took me by surprise. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a cowboy romance. This is the second book in the series but can be read on its own.
Rio Montez has a plan: work on his deceased, absentee father’s ranch, find out about him, and close the book on him. It turns out easier said than done in this complicated novel of love and of unexpected family.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed book one in the series, and was anxious to see what book 2 would bring. The twist on this one was interesting, making the story an engaging one.
Rio Montez lived in a reservation with his mother. A life with scarce possessions but one that was rich in love and the simple things in life.
Rio has traveled to Braxton with a purpose. He wants to find out about the man who fathered him. A man that had little influence on his life but whose mother loved to end of her life. Even if whenever he left, she was left in tears. Now that his mother has passed and has a letter that might change his life, he is keeping his story to himself , as he’s hired by Chance Braxton as a temporary horse trainer.
What he did not expect was meeting Dee McNamara. A woman with a story of her own, and one that was hurt and lied to by her deceased husband. So trust is a major issue in her life.
Fate brings them together, and though Dee opens about her past, Rio keeps his secrets close to his chest.
What will happen when the truth is revealed? A truth that will affect not only the Braxton’s but also Dee?
I have to confess that I found Rio a very likable character. Dee was a little harder to warm up to. She saw life as black and white, while in reality it’s filled with an array of grays.
That said, the story was engaging, and the characters complex.
A good addition to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
great story, loved minute reading it. fantastic writer
Rational and passionate story!
A quick relaxing afternoon read.
A heartwarming story worth the read.