A cowboy with a troubled past and the woman he can’t resist find love and second chances in Rough Creek, Texas, from the beloved and award winning author of Western romance, Kaki Warner. After serving eighteen months in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Dalton Cardwell is looking for a fresh start. What better place than Whitcomb Four Star Ranch? He doesn’t regret the decisions of his … decisions of his past–he’d choose the same roads again. But now all Dalton wants is to keep his head down and focus on the horses–and on Raney Whitcomb.
Raney is outraged when she learns her mother hired an ex-con. Raney has worked hard for the ranch, sacrificing her personal life for the dream of building on her family’s legacy. But as Dalton breaks down every misconception and even wins the good opinion of her sisters, Raney is forced to rethink her stance–and finally free herself to explore the heart-pounding tension that simmers between them.
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I do love a cowboy romance, so I was happy to dive into Rough Creek. This is my first read by Kaki Warner, and as I understand it, this is her first contemporary Western romance, having written historical romances. I will say that this book does have some of the flavor of a historical romance, some similar tones, but it is set in the here and now. The story also has elements of second chances – not necessarily for Dalton and Raney as a couple, but the romance is a second chance for each of them.
I found both characters likable. In fact, I liked most of the characters in this one, at least the ones we’re meant to like, and there are what look to be some promising storylines to come as this series progresses. As for this couple, Dalton has this whole wounded soul vibe going, but at the same time, he flirts shamelessly with Raney, which of course, frustrates her to no end. She’s a bit rigid and doesn’t take well to change, so Dalton messing with her world was thoroughly amusing. That also means we get some fun banter, and it’s not just between our romantic couple. I really enjoyed the dialogue in this book, and I’ll just throw in right here that Raney’s mother is an absolute scene-stealer and one of my favorite types of character.
The only drawback for me was that the book felt like it went on longer than it needed to. There’s really not enough angst to warrant the length of the book. There were a couple of lags in the story where I found my attention waning, so I feel like it could’ve done with a bit of tightening up. That said, those times didn’t last long, and Dalton and Raney did pull me back in, so it’s not a huge deficit in my opinion.
All in all, this first in the series is an entertaining read with engaging characters, and now that I’ve met them, I can’t wait to see what Kaki Warner has in store for them.
I liked Dalton’s sense of humor and appreciated that the romance simmered. The author’s description of the mom being OLD at 60 was not appreciated. This is a new series but the strong mom raised some whiny daughters including Raney. I looked up the author, she should be familiar with some people in their sixties.
Rough Creek Kaki Warner is the First book in the Brides of Rough Creek Texas. This is the story of Raney Whitcomb Dalton Cardwell. Raney and her mother have taken over handling the family ranch Whitcomb Four Star, after her father dies. Raney’s sister have their own thing they want to do. So when her mother at 60 starts to talk about traveling / retiring, her mother ends up hiring a horse trainer for the ranch along with helping out. Raney’s mom ended up hiring Dalton who is a ex con which Raney is not happy about. Dalton was sent to prison for 18 months for something he didn’t do. Dalton has just been release and his to his parents ranch where he finds that they have sold it and are moving to be closer to his younger broker who is handicapped. So Dalton ends up being hired with a 6 months contract at the Whitcomb Four Star Ranch. Dalton’s plan is to just consecrate on horse and nothing else. But then he meets Raney and they start headbutting. This was a slow burn but it was a great read for me. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Another new-to-me author, who is also new to writing contemporary. She has many historical westerns in her backlist.
Raney Whitcomb grew up on her family ranch, Whitcomb Four Star, and since her father’s death a few years before, she’s been running it. She has 1 older, and 2 younger sisters, and they’ve each gone their own ways, but they converge on the ranch for family get-togethers, semi-frequently. Her mother still lives in the big house with her, and is still the big boss, for the most part. But, her Mama has decided she’s getting old, at a freshly turned 60, and wants to travel, and see the world, and have some fun. She’s leaving Raney in charge of course, but not before she hires a new horse trainer, without consulting Raney first.
Dalton Cardwell has just been released from prison, after serving 18 months for a crime he didn’t commit. When he gets home to Rough Creek, he finds his parents have sold their small ranch, and they’re moving away, to be closer to a group home where his younger, mentally handicapped brother will be living. He understands their reasoning, and agrees with them, but it leaves him at loose ends. He decides to look for a job, as soon as he’s helped his parents get packed up to go. He finds a job as a horse trainer at a local ranch, hired by the matriarch herself, though apparently her daughter isn’t thrilled with the idea. Too bad, because he’s got a 6-month contract, a real affinity for horses, and nowhere else to go.
Dalton and Raney initially butt heads because she’s not keen on hiring an ex-con, though I found her to be fairly judgmental of him, considering the crime he was convicted of. Once she settles into the idea, and sees how good he is with the horses, she changes her tune. Their attraction to each other doesn’t hurt either. But Raney’s been hurt before, and she doesn’t trust easily. Dalton cares for her, and her family, and is willing to move at her pace, which was entirely too slow and equivocating for my taste. They had strong chemistry, but the timeline of the novel saw MANY months pass in their push and pull dance, and I found her inability to make a decision to be maddening at times. But, I really liked the way she, and her Mama, stood up for him, and helped him out a few times, when people were assuming the worst about him, or when an old nemesis tried to cause trouble for him.
The side characters here, mostly other workers on the ranch, Dalton’s family, and Raney’s family, were interesting and fairly well-fleshed out. Her Mama especially was old-fashioned, and nosy of course, and desperately wanted Raney to settle down. Her sisters were each interesting in their own ways, and had varying relationship troubles of their own. I’m not sure from this story who the next book in the series might be about, and I suppose it could be a new, unrelated character too.
I really liked Dalton and Raney as characters for the most part, but Raney really bothered me sometimes, constantly expecting perfection, and not leaving much leeway for reality. She was slow as molasses in committing to Dalton, in any real way, and I couldn’t believe how slow the burn was between them. I guess that slow of a connection just isn’t for me. Dalton was all in practically from the beginning, and I love that in a hero, but there were many things in his past, from his time in the military, to his time in prison, that he wasn’t interested in talking about. It was understandable, but was also basically a deal-breaker for Raney, so he opened up. And it seemed that still wasn’t really enough for her. I think having this slow of a burn, with no real on-page sexy payoff was disappointing for me. It’s just not my personal preference. I would’ve liked quite a bit more heat, ESPECIALLY if I’m waiting so long for it.
Overall, this story was just ok for me personally, though I can see many things about it that I’m sure others would very much enjoy.
Ranch life, family issues, second chances, dedication and sacrifice! All this and more in Rough Creek!
Raney Whitcomb was spittin’ mad! How dare her mother hire an ex-con as a trainer for the cutting horse program at her beloved Whitcomb Four Star Ranch! Coralee Whitcomb is one tough cookie and one protective, loving mother who somehow always gets what she wants. Yes, Raney loves her but sometimes she makes Raney so mad she could scream. This is definitely one of those times. She doesn’t care if Dalton Cardwell comes from a good family and her mother believes he deserves a second chance. Then she got to know Dalton. His nickname in high school was “Beanpole.” Now it could be “Buff Hottie.” Her mother was right about one thing. He sure has a way with horses. Her prize three-year-old colt Roscoe behaves perfectly for him. Not only can he charm horses but seems he can charm women just as easily, especially Raney. But Raney swore off men after breaking her engagement to Trip, her avaricious waste-of-breath ex. Somehow Dalton is getting under her skin though. Can she look past her previous bad experiences and give Dalton a chance?
Dalton Cardwell survived his eighteen months in prison. He knew he didn’t do what he was accused of but he felt responsible for what happened nonetheless. He walked out of the prison in Huntsville, Texas with a set of cheap clothes, his Certificate of Discharge, a check for $100 and a voucher for a bus ticket to anywhere in Texas. His anywhere was home, Rough Creek, Texas. Upon arriving home to the ranch where his parents and mentally challenged little brother Timmy lived he found them packing up after selling the ranch. He knew he needed to find a job and considered himself very lucky to get hired on at the Whitcomb Four Star Ranch to train cutting horses. What was even luckier was getting to know and fall for Raney Whitcomb, the Whitcomb daughter who runs the ranch. He knows he has to prove himself. How can he resist the ever capable, heroine-to-the-rescue Raney?
Rough Creek by Kaki Warner is the first book in her Brides of Rough Creek Texas series. Ms. Warner is a new-to-me author. I was delighted to discover her fun and serious voice. Her characters are true-to-life and the dialogue is exceptional. I really enjoyed the flirting between Raney and Dalton as well as their serious discussions. Learning about training cutting horses, the process and the value was interesting. I am looking forward to more stories by Kaki Warner.
This is my first time reading Kaki Warner. She’s a new author for me. When I saw the cover I knew I had to try it. I do love my cowboys.
Since I hadn’t ever read her I wasn’t sure what to expect. Shortly after starting the book, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It’s not like I didn’t like it…I just couldn’t get into it. It was one of those books where I couldn’t put my finger on why I didn’t like it.
The characters aren’t bad and I liked the idea of the storyline but still…it didn’t sit right with me.
I think it was because it had a historical feel to it and yet it wasn’t. A little old fashion in the writing. It wasn’t that I didn’t think the writing was bad, just not for me. It seems like I’ve had a run on books that I just couldn’t enjoy.
I did like Dalton & Raney they are both really good characters and they are the only reason I kept reading the story. I enjoyed their interactions and how they reacted to each other. But it wasn’t enough to really get into the story. I think there are many readers who will like the story and the way it’s written. Like I mentioned, good characters. Maybe someday I will try another by her. Have any of you read her?
I adored this heartwarming slow-burn romance!
Raney was so reluctant to admit she could be falling for the disarmingly charming ex-con cowboy, but there isn’t a woman alive who could resist him forever. It didn’t take Dalton long to get over his reservations about romancing his boss, especially since it was her mother who had actually hired him.
The issues that needed to be dealt with first were honest and authentic, encompassed both his past and hers, and the way they shared these problems with each other really spoke volumes about their character and values.
I absolutely loved Coralee in this story, and wish we’d seen more of her. We also got quite an extensive introduction to Joss and Grady’s relationship, as well as Len and Ryan’s marriage. I hope those stories will be expanded into future books.
I really enjoyed the sly humor, not outrageous but just enough to show the teasing aspect of their relationship. Even when she’s sure about herself and him, Raney just couldn’t let herself relax and enjoy the fun unless Dalton practically dared her to. Their banter was on-point throughout the story, adding breadth and depth to their romance.
The HEA was perfect, with the most hilarious proposal scene I’ve read in a very long time! It was unique, and exactly what these two needed. I highly recommend this delightful romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is the first book in a new series by this author. I haven’t read any by her before so this was a nice surprise for me . I loved the characters and the setting of this book. ex con turning his life around and a hard headed woman make for a great combo! Just enough romance and strife to make the book stand out. Well worth reading looking for more in this series.
A heartwarming story of family ties, hope and second chance! 5 stars
Lovers of Western romance, have to read Kaki Warner’s first book ‘Rough Creek’! I strongly recommend it. This is the second book that I read by this author and loved this one too. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance! You won’t be disappointed! Her characters are dynamic and so charming! What a great debut for her new series ‘Brides of Rough Creek Texas’!
It tells the story of Coralee Whitcomb a matriarch who runs the family Four Star Ranch. She is a widow, a headstrong woman with a personality of her own, you’ll love her. She has four daughters, Raney who runs the ranch with her, Lennox, Katherine and Joss. Coralee hires an ex-convict as a horse trainer for her ranch, without telling Raney, also a headstrong and independent young woman! Dalton Cardwell is the man in question. Let’s just say that Raney and Dalton started on the wrong foot! He spent 18 months for a crime he confessed but didn’t commit. Returning home, he soon learns that his parents have sold their family home to secure his brother who needs special help. So he accepts, Coralee’s offer and gets a second chance, but will Raney also give him a second chance? Dalton is exactly what Raney needs!
Fans of Western historical fiction are in for a treat!
I wish to thank Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me an ecopy of this book in exchange for my own honest review.
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