From this “fabulous storyteller” (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes the first book in an all-new western romance series. Delaney Harper thought she’d seen the last of Meadow Valley after her deadbeat husband left her brokenhearted and, well, just flat broke. But news that her ex sold their land means she’s heading back to reclaim her share of the property and the dreams … reclaim her share of the property and the dreams she was forced to put on hold. Only one thing stands in her way now: a smoking hot cowboy.
Sam Callahan is too busy trying to keep his new guest ranch afloat to spend any time on serious relationships-at least, that’s what he tells himself. But when a gorgeous blonde shows up insisting she owns half his property, Sam quickly realizes he’s got bigger problems than Delaney’s claim on the land—she could also claim his heart.
Includes the bonus novel The Toughest Cowboy in Texas by New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown!
3.5/5 stars!
The heroine returns to Meadows Valley after she learns that her ex-husband forged her signature to sell property they jointly held. When she arrives at the small town, she didn’t expect to fall in love with one of the new owners. The hero, tackling his own personal struggles, also didn’t expect to call in love with the woman who may ruin his business. The couple faced external and internal struggles that they tackle individually and together, aided by a cute dog and a grumpy cat, as well as family and friends in Meadows Valley.
I enjoyed the story, even though I felt like it could be better if it was longer to make a smooth transition in certain parts of the book. I liked the strong resilient heroine and the hero when he learned to ease up and face his own concerns. It was also nice that the book explored about familial interactions, especially when facing health conditions that affects every member in some way. I do think that the book didn’t delve enough on some characters, but I think future books will give those characters more depth.
Overall, this book is a nice start to the Meadows Valley series. I look forward to more cowboys, small town camaraderie, couple shenanigans, and adorable animals in this A. J. Pine contemporary romance series.
**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**
My One And Only Cowboy is A.J. Pine’s book One of the Meadow Valley Ranch series. Delaney Harper is a woman who was badly burned by her ex and discovers he had sold property by forging her name. Flat broke, she returns with hopes to reclaim her share of the property and the dreams she was forced to put on hold. Except Sam Callahan stands in her way. Sam is too busy trying to keep his guest ranch afloat to spend any time in a serious relationship. but when a gorgeous blonde shows up insisting she owns half his property, Sam quickly realizes he’s got bigger problems than Delaney’s claims on the land—she could claim his heart.
My One And Only Cowboy is a wonderful sweet and sexy romance between Sam and Delaney. A.J. Pine creates strong family ties in the Callahan family and a close-knit community of a small town. But wait! There is a bonus story by Carolyn Brown: Toughest Cowboy In Texas. The story centers in another small town called Happy, where Lila “Wild Child” Harris and Brody Dawson find a second chance to fall in love all over again.
Alzheimer’s is a reality of life and a large part of this book. That makes is somewhat difficult to read, though Pine treats the disease and how it affects those who might inherit the gene with grace and sensitivity. A good read, but heavy at times.
Set in beautiful Ranch country of Northern California A.J. Pine touches on the difficult and painful topic of Alzheimer’s and it’s effect of families. This book gives you all kinds of feels and the story between Delaney Harper and Sam Callahan is…just *sigh*.
Sam had his life perfect the way he needed it to survive, running a new business with his brother Ben and friend Colt he liked the balance even though he was always busy.
Delaney came back to town to get what her ex husband took from her and it happens to be part of the land that Sam owned.
Little did they know what kind of relationship this kind of unconventional meeting would bring.
Meadow Valley Ranch #1, A nice start to the series. A.J. Pine delivers yet another wonderful story. Sam Callahan his younger brother Ben and their friend Colt all chipped in and bought Meadow Valley Ranch a sort of B&B Ranch. Sam and Ben choose Meadow Valley, California because the close proximity to their Dad’s care facility. After two years they are still trying to get into the black when Delaney Harper shows up saying her ex-husband forged her signature and sold the ranch without her permission. Delaney wasn’t going to leave town until this got figured out but with the whole town being shut down for the festival she was stuck for over a week and then she crashed her car and ended up stranded at the ranch. Sam who was fascinated with her from the start offers that she stay at the ranch, not one to take advantage she offers to work in exchange. No stranger to hard work Delaney starts right in and she offers help with advertising at the festival she was able to give the guys ideas they hadn’t thought of yet. Delaney is no stranger to the hospitality business either after growing up in her parents hotel in Las Vegas. Delaney had bigger dreams she went to school to be a vet tech and had originally bought the ranch to open up an animal rescue and saw that dream disappear when she found out the ranch had sold.
Sam and Delaney start off shaky but soon give into their sexual attraction. A steamy romance that also deals with Sam and Ben’s relationship with their father and sets up what I hope is Ben’s story. With a bit of action thrown into it at the end makes the whole story a nice read. Overall, well written with memorable characters and one very sweet dog.
Highly entertaining, action packed, engaging romantic journey filled with exciting charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and emotionally thrilling turns…. was a excellent read. Really enjoyed this heartwarming journey!
I was so excited to learn more about the Callahan’s when they were introduced in the Crossroads Ranch series and Sam didn’t disappoint!!
The level-headed rule follower is in for an awakening when he meets Delaney. The chemistry between these two was off the charts and the odds they faced seemed insurmountable. I was expecting an insane amount of drama but while there was some, it definitely wasn’t over the top. I loved these two and I can’t wait for more Meadow Valley!!
This was a fairly long story but there was so much going on it didn’t drag at all. The book covers some heavier subject matter, although there are light and fluffy moments – the book as a whole is not. I enjoyed the build-up even though the whole book took place largely in one week, you really felt like you got to know the characters. My one complaint is how the author kept interchanging bee and wasp throughout the book. Ignoring that, it was a really great story
My One and Only Cowboy is the first book in the Meadow Valley series and I can’t wait to read the next one. I was pulled in from the first page and I didn’t.stop reading until the last. This is a wonderful start to a new series. Sam and Delaney were endearing characters with great chemistry. They were both trying to do the right thing but, they had obstacles to overcome. Ultimately, they made a wonderful couple and I hope to read more about them in the next book. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.
Entertaining country romance
Delaney heads to Meadow Valley to stake her claim on her half of the land her ex-husband sold out from under her, and immediately butts heads with Sam, one of the new owners. Between her car breaking down and the town shutting down for a festival, Delaney is well and truly stuck, and at the mercy of Sam’s generosity. As their forced proximity continues, their romance develops and they learn about the challenges each is facing in their own lives.
This was a sweet romance with likable characters and a familiar small-town setting. Enough liberties were taken with the location that I can say the fictional community does not bear much of a resemblance to the real Meadow Valley, California (where I lived for a couple decades), but this doesn’t detract from the overall story. The initial problem is eventually resolved mostly off-page and rather simplistically, but otherwise this low-angst romance hits all the right spots on its way to a satisfying HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This was a fun little romance! I have enjoyed what I have read from this author in the past so I was pretty excited to give this book a try. I enjoyed the book from the very start and great time seeing how everything developed. I am so glad that I decided to give this book a try.
Sam and his partners are still getting the ranch they run off the ground. The business is off to a good start but they do hope that things pick up a bit. Sam doesn’t need any problems so when Delaney shows up claiming to own half of the land the ranch is built on, he isn’t thrilled about it. Delaney isn’t looking for anything that isn’t rightfully hers. Sam was only able to buy the land because Delaney’s ex-husband forged her signature on the deed. Unfortunately, the town is closed for the week and Delaney’s car needs some repairs so they will have a week to spend together before anything can be settled.
I liked Delaney and Sam. Both of these characters were really good people and neither wanted to hurt the other. They had fantastic chemistry from the start and I thought that it just got stronger as the book progressed. I really thought that these two fit together perfectly and their relationship just felt right. They were both dealing with some bigger issues that were a bit of an obstacle and I enjoyed watching them work through their issues.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a really well-done romance filled with wonderful characters and a bit of excitement. I can’t wait to read more of this delightful series!
I received a review copy of this book from Forever Yours (Grand Central Publishing).
Ahh… cowboys….
This author knows how to write cowboys and Sam has moved to the top of the list! Delaney bursts into his hard-working life, threatening all that he and his partners have worked for. Delaney’s dream was in direct contrast to Sam’s. The sparks were inevitable.
Oh the sweetness! Sam and Delaney, despite all the reasons they should have been at odds, kept it civil and even quasi-friendly. If they didn’t think about why they were thrown together, they had other things on their mind like the physical sparks between them. Soon, those sparks meant they were working together, On the ranch. On their personal challenges… On a past that was affecting their here and now as well as their future. If secrets brought them together, well, they could also set them free…
I can’t wait to return to Meadow Valley! I should just move there…
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
This is the third novel I’ve read by A.J. Pine, and since it is the first novel in a new series, I was eager to read it, and from the very beginning I wondered if I’d like it because it opens with a less than original plot device–the heroine’s car breaks down in the driveway leading to Meadow Valley Ranch, and she is soon rescued by the hero, Sam, and there have been a spate of similar broken down cars opening quite of few of the novels I’ve recently read, but, as it turned out, in this novel the opening made sense, and because it hooked me in very soon thereafter and kept me hooked until I finished reading it at 5:00 a.m. this morning, this novel gets 4.5 stars from this reader.
Delaney Harper is on a mission. She’s been living in Las Vegas, where her sister and the rest of her family live, and where she went after she divorced her deadbeat, gambling husband, Wade. She’s completed her training and education as a veterinary technician, and the property Delaney and her ex-husband, Wade, purchased in Meadow Valley is the place she wants to finally open her animal rescue facility, only to learn that Wade had sold the property out from under her by forging her signature on the deed. She’s back in Meadow Valley because she wants to get the deed they registered there to prove that Wade forged her signature, and she’s not happy to discover the property now belongs to brothers Sam and Ben, and their close friend Colt, who got rid of the broken down buildings on the property and built their guest ranch there, now in only its second month of operation. She’s thwarted in her quest for the deed because the entire town of Meadow Valley closes down for a week for its Fall Festival, she can’t get her car fixed, and she can’t get into the courthouse to get the forged deed.
Sam Callahan is tall, dark and handsome, doesn’t do long term relationships and for good reason, but he’s also a gentleman, and offers Delaney (also referred to as Vegas and Callahan by him) free room and board in a vacant guest room until town reopens. Delaney is not your typical damsel in distress, she insists on working for her room and board, and shortly thereafter Sam obliges her and soon has her mucking out stalls in the barn. She’s not happy about the situation, but she’s a character with grit, insists on pulling her own weight around the ranch, and I liked her immediately. Although wary because she wants her half of the land the ranch occupies, the ranch that Sam and Ben spent their life savings to purchase and rebuild, Sam is also attracted to Delaney, and this is a romance novel after all.
What sets this novel apart from so many similar cowboy romances is Sam, and the secret he’s been keeping, which is soon to be unveiled as he receives an emergency phone call from the nursing home, and, with Delaney in tow, he heads there at breakneck pace and the scene that greets Sam and Delaney when they get there is both shocking and tragic. Sam’s father, Nolan, has early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia, and is having quite an episode in the game room, standing on a table and threatening everyone. Sam manages to calm his dad down, but once he and Delaney leave the facility, Delaney learns that Nolan’s dementia, which wasn’t diagnosed early on, led to the break-up of his father’s marriage, and the dissolution of what had been a loving family relationship. Sadly, it’s a story that’s become all too common in recent years, but because it has a genetic component, and Sam and his brother, Ben, have a 50/50 chance of inheriting that gene. Sam fears it, having seen what it did to his parents marriage, and while he doesn’t know whether or not he shares that gene mutation, it’s kept him from ever seeking a long-term relationship with a woman, because he fears putting anyone he loves through what his mother went through before she up and left his father, leaving Sam and his brother to cope with their father alone.
While the backdrop of this novel is a serious one, and while the insta-love between Sam and Delaney usually would put me off this novel entirely, it was also well-written, sweet, charming, funny, sad, heartfelt and heartwarming. It won me over completely, especially since I’m an animal-lover, and the presence of Scout, Sam’s dog, and the adoption of a cat with a serious birth-defect quite simply charmed the heck out of me. My only complaint is that the novel’s HEA ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, and I so hope that the answer to the question I was hoping would be resolved in this novel is present in the next novel, which I’m guessing will be Ben’s story, and personally, I can’t wait to read it. Quite simply, this was one emotionally charged and excellent read, and I’m happy to recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
3.75 stars-MY ONE AND ONLY COWBOY is the first instalment in A.J. Pine’s contemporary, adult MEADOW VALLEY erotic, cowboy romance series. This is rancher Sam Callahan, and veterinary technician, divorcee Delaney Harper’s story line. Sam and his brother Ben were first introduced in the author’s Crossroads Ranch series but you do not have to have read the original series to understand or follow My One and Only Cowboy.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Sam and Delaney) MY ONE AND ONLY COWBOY follows the building but temporary relationship between rancher Sam Callahan, and veterinary technician, divorcee Delaney Harper. Two years earlier Delaney Harper and her husband owned the Meadow Valley Ranch but an ugly divorce sent our couple in opposite directions with Delaney landing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fast forward to present day wherein Delaney discovers that her ex-husband forged her name, and sold the property to Sam and Ben Callahan, and our heroine is determined to get what is rightfully hers. Enter Sam Callahan, co-owner of the Meadow Valley guest ranch and the man with whom Delaney will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Sam and Delaney, and the potential fall-out as Delaney is only in town for as long as it takes to get her share of what proceeds from the sale of her ranch, a town that remembers the number of scams her ex-husband tried but failed.
Sam Callahan and his partners are struggling to make a go of the Meadow Valley guest ranch, and with the approach of the town’s Harvest Festival, they were hoping for some business in the form of clients and guests. The arrival of Delaney Harper, a woman determined to prove their ownership of the ranch was obtained through a forged signature, Sam once again, must battle between head and heart as his feelings for Delaney soon turn into something more. But Sam doesn’t do relationships as he struggles with a secret that could destroy his life, a secret that will be revealed to the woman with whom he will fall in love. Delaney Harper doesn’t want to destroy Sam and Ben’s dreams but our heroine wants what is rightfully hers. With the town shut down for the Harvest Festival, Delaney must bide her time until the city offices open ten days from her arrival, time spent in the company of Sam, working for and with the Meadow Valley ranch.
The relationship between Sam and Delaney is one of mutual attraction; a slow building romance with an expiry date as Delaney doesn’t see herself remaining in the town that judges her by the actions of her ex-husband. Working for her room and board at the Meadow Valley guest ranch Delaney soon finds herself wanting something more with Sam but Sam struggles in the face of an uncertain future. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Sam’s brother Ben, and their friend and business partner Colt, as well as Sam and Ben’s parents Nolan and Barbara Ann Callahan, and Delaney’s ex-husband Wade, and her sister Beth.
MY ONE AND ONLY COWBOY is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and love.; a story of what ifs in the face of the unknown. The premise is captivating and emotional; the characters are colorful, energetic and real; the romance is seductive and palpable. My only issue is that some of the story line felt more like filler waiting for the inevitable confrontation and conflict.
My One and Only Cowboy is the first full length book in A.J. Pine’s Meadow Valley series, and it was such a pleasure to read!
Delaney Harper’s world is turned upside down by her ex-husband when she discovers that he forged her name when he sold their land right out from under her. She’s determined to claim what is rightfully hers, but she doesn’t expect to fall for one of the new owners of the land, Sam Callahan. Their attraction is immediate, but Sam isn’t looking for a relationship due to his own personal things going on his life and especially with someone who may have rights to ½ the land he and his brother and friend have put so much time and money into fixing up to create a thriving guest ranch for out-of-towners.
Unforeseen circumstances have Delaney stuck in town for longer than expected and the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the strong feelings brewing between them. What started out as just a fun time while she is in town could possibly be turning into so much more. But Sam has some personal and family issues he’s dealing with that could jeopardize what they have. Can Delaney convince Sam to give them a chance?
I really enjoyed the start of this new series! It was a sweet, sexy and heartfelt read. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
My One and Only Cowboy is the first book in A.J. Pine’s new Meadow Valley series. It’s set in a small northern California town that is known for the townspeople looking out for one another, which is something I always love in a good romance!
Brothers Sam and Ben Callahan, along with their friend Colt, have purchased an old ranch to turn into a guest ranch. The three were able to get the ranch for an unbelievable price, yet they still went into serious debt to do it. When something seems to good to be true, is it?
Delaney Harper has come back to Meadow Valley to try to get answers. When she left her ex-husband, she thought she had seen the last of the small town, but that was until she figured out that her scum of an ex sold their land without her consent. She’s come back to get the documents to prove that he owes her for what he’s done. When she arrives in town, her car breaks down and then she learns she’ll be stuck because of the annual festival that shuts down the whole town.
Sam comes to Delaney’s rescue when the car breaks down and then the two end up spending a lot of time together. While both are dealing with major issues and uncertain futures, they find that they are good for one another and while neither one is looking for anything serious, the connection they have may deem otherwise.
Sam and Delaney were both strong characters. They were great for one another because of the perspectives they brought to the other person. Throw in a great town, some interesting secondary characters and you have a very enjoyable tale. I’m already looking forward to the second book in this series!
Delaney Harper was on the cusp of having everything she wanted, then in an instant her lying ex-husband took it all away. They had just purchased the land to build the home of their dreams, along with an animal sanctuary so she could do what she loved, and help animals, she thought everything was going according to plan. Then his gambling debts caught up to him, she discovered he’d been lying and cheating and she walked away, she needed to rid her life of him and the pain he caused.
Little did she know the moment she left town, he sold their dream… and now she is back in town to reclaim what is hers, half of their land belongs to her and she is going to lay claim to it. Problem is when her despicable ex-husband sold it he took her name off the deed and the new buyers never knew she had any claim to it.
Now she must face the new owners and convince them half of what they think they own still belongs to her… which is easier said then done when she meets the new co-owner Sam Callahan!
My One and Only Cowboy is an emotional heart-string tugging tale that brings you into the lives of Sam and Delaney. These two are thrown onto one another paths when she discovers that her ex-husband sold their land without her permission, and she returns to town to claim it, only to discover there is a very sexy cowboy standing in her way. These two headstrong souls were quite the pairing, neither of them looking for love, but with every interaction they had you could see that it was only a matter of time until they fell. Not of course without a few battles to sort out, and some emotional baggage to work through. I really enjoyed this one, it had a good mix of romance, emotion, and drama… all of it keeping me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. I cannot wait to see who graces the pages of the second installment, I imagine we are in for some good reading! Highly recommend this one, it’s endearing characters are bound to steal your heart!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
A.J. Pine has a very interesting, emotional story in her book, My One and Only Cowboy. This book is the first in the author’s Meadow Valley series. She writes about how a family suffers in dealing with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This is a genetic disorder so the two sons have to deal with the possibility of developing the disease. Oldest son Sam Callahan is dealing with it by not getting involved in any romantic relationships. But that changes when Delaney Harper comes to town. I enjoyed reading about how they each dealt with their emotional baggage and found their HEA.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this book because I have read others by this author. This story has Delaney coming back to to get a copy of the original deed to the land that Sam and his brother & friend currently own. Unfortunately, the town of Meadow Valley is shut down for the week due to the festival, so Delaney spends her days getting reacquainted with the small town that she once loved and spending quality time with Sam. Of course it all works out in the end, because all books should have a Happily Ever After.
Pick up a copy and read this one for yourself!
ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley and Forever.
One and Only Cowboy is book 1 in the Meadow Valley series by A.J. Pine a new to me author. This story is about Sam Callahan co owner of the Meadow Valley guest ranch and Delaney Harper who has come back to town to claim what was taken from her by her forging, lying cheating husband…namely the ranch!
Will Sam lose the ranch or can they find a solution and maybe find the HEA they both think isn’t in heir future??