Will his proposal eventually win her heart?For rancher Chance Braxton, Josie Monroe was the classic girl next door. He’d fallen early and hard, but because her heart had belonged to his careless and indifferent brother, Chance had been permanently friend-zoned since Josie was a teen. Now Josie’s running her failing ranch all alone, and it’s time for Chance to step up and keep a promise he made to … promise he made to her dying mother – marry Josie and combine their ranches.
Josie Monroe doesn’t want help or need to be saved by anyone – especially her wealthy ranching neighbor and forever thorn in her paw, Chance Braxton. The serious, way-too-handsome cowboy has starred in too many of her fantasies, but he still sees her as a heart-broken girl. She’s a woman now, and she’s determined to prove everyone wrong: She can save her ranch and rebuild her father’s legacy…alone.
When Chance proposes, Josie’s problems are just beginning. So why does her pulse kick up every time he rides by and tips his Stetson?
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This is a first in series and a first tine read of this author for me and I have to say I was impressed The book flowed well there was a little drama to keep it interesting but overall it was just a sweet love story
Chance Braxton has always loved the girl next door the only problem was that she belonged to his brother Devon the one that went of to fight for his country. So why can’t he get her out of his mind. Josie Monroe always new that her parents thought of Braxton as the son they never had and that annoyed her after all she was just as capable of running the ranch as a man what she doesn’t know is that her mother asked Chance to marry Josie and combine the ranches and now he is ready to do it, but does she still love his brother or can there be something between them you will have to read to see
First and foremost this was a cute story. However I did find the story completely predictable and because of that sometimes I felt like the story did drag. The story is a marriage of convince story and sometime I felt like I was reading about kids just out of high school not adults. I always like small town romances the town characters will always add a fun element to any story and I felt like that was the same with this story so many fun characters. This story does have some sex scenes and adult situations in it so may not be suitable for all. Over all a fun story just be patient. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
I received this ARC from Tule Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the story. This was the first book in a new series. The book was about Chance Braxton and Josie Monroe. Josie had always had a serious crush on Chance’s younger and playboy brother Dev. We learn that Chance has always been secretly in love with Josie but never did anything about it. Both families live on neighboring ranches but the Munroe’s ranch is in financial trouble. Josie has been running it since her dad died and has been struggling to survive.
As the book begins, we learn that Josie’s mom has been ill but didn’t let on about it. She dies of heart attack complications. Right before her death she set up a plan for Chance to act as the executor and marry Josie and save their ranch for her.Josie is not happy about it but goes along with the plan hoping to make enough money to pay off the loans and end the marriage. They get married and work through the changes. Dev shows up looking for money from his trust and when he sees Chance with Josie he is jealous and tries to convince her to run away with him. Josie is innocent in relationships and realizes she has fallen for her husband but doesn’t believe he reciprocates her feelings. She realizes the difference between what she thought she felt for Dev and what she really feels for Chance.
The story has many angsty moments and some steamy encounters. There is suspense and character growth. We see interactions between Chance and Josie and Dev as well as the ranch foreman, the doctor and other townspeople. Debra does a great job of keeping the reader interested and at the edge of their seat. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. This is definitely a five star read.
This is book #1 of the Blood Brother Series and what a great start I know I want to read them all
What great characters, Josie and Chance had me caring about both of them in this enjoyable read.
I must admit I got tense in a scary part of the book but it was just small part, not to many pages.
I recommend this book to adult romance readers.
3.5 stars
This is another new-to-me author and, I gotta say, she piqued my interest enough to want more. I wasn’t so sure when I started this story, and there were a few times throughout the book where I found the writing a bit stilted. Overriding all that is a beautiful connection between two amazing characters.
Chance is really such a good man. I can understand Josie’s annoyance with this fact since every single person in town tends to talk about how he is so great. On top of that, it was obvious to her that her parents always looked at his as the son they never had. Being as Josie was always into ranching and not the “girlie” things in life, she took a sort of offense to this fact even though her parents never meant it to take away from her in any way. Because of Josie’s weird resentment of Chance, as well as her infatuation with Chance’s brother growing up, it takes her a minute to really give her trust and future to Chance.
While Chance is dependable, sexy, and kind, he does have one small hang up. Chance doesn’t trust that Josie won’t go running back to his brother, Dev. Even though Josie is also kind and beautiful and smart, he can’t believe she wouldn’t want to live out her teenage dream of having Dev on her arm instead of Chance. This causes a lot of misunderstandings.
The misunderstandings between Josie and Chance happen a bit too much for my liking. These two literally don’t talk about their true feelings with each other ever, unless it’s in a joking manner. Which only confuses things more between them. Part of me totally gets that this is a very important element to this book, but part of me thinks it was too much.
All in all I enjoyed this story a lot and will be reading the next in the series. I curious to see more of this town and it’s residents.
**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 enjoyed reading this one.L oved Chance with Josie from the beginning in the barn when he consoles her after his little brother manages to make her cry once more.I will definitely recommend this book to my friends.I love love this book cover.
True Blue Cowboy by Debra Holt
Will his proposal eventually win her heart?
For rancher Chance Braxton, Josie Monroe was the classic girl next door. He’d fallen early and hard, but because her heart had belonged to his careless and indifferent brother, Chance had been permanently friend-zoned since Josie was a teen. Now Josie’s running her failing ranch all alone, and it’s time for Chance to step up and keep a promise he made to her dying mother – marry Josie and combine their ranches.
Josie Monroe doesn’t want help or need to be saved by anyone – especially her wealthy ranching neighbor and forever thorn in her paw, Chance Braxton. The serious, way-too-handsome cowboy has starred in too many of her fantasies, but he still sees her as a heart-broken girl. She’s a woman now, and she’s determined to prove everyone wrong: She can save her ranch and rebuild her father’s legacy…alone.
When Chance proposes, Josie’s problems are just beginning. So why does her pulse kick up every time he rides by and tips his Stetson?
This is Josie Monroe and Chance Braxton’s story.
“My brother never deserved you.”
“Did you stop by today just to cheer me up?” Josie Monroe threw the words over her shoulder, intent on adjusting the cinch on the saddle of her horse. “If so, it isn’t working.”
“Just stating a fact. And, since today is your twenty-eighth birthday, I hoped to find you doing something a bit different. You know a person can take a day off now and then…maybe celebrate.”
The man stepped forward, settling long, muscular arms along the top of the weathered planking of the stall door. His Stetson covered a good deal of his face, but the part Josie could see was not smiling. “Thought I should deliver the latest news about Devlin Braxton in person. There was a phone call this morning.”
His gaze didn’t miss the fact her body subconsciously steeled itself for whatever might be coming. It was something she had practice doing over the years, particularly where Dev was concerned.
“Plans changed, I guess? So, he won’t be coming home anytime soon? Nothing surprising about that one.”
True Blue 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
True Blue Cowboy reads like a country song. Josie and Chance are a walking heartache with a lifetime of baggage to work their way through. Will foolish pride be the deciding factor for a couple of battered hearts in need of a second chance? Holt aims to wring out every emotion. From heartbreak to hope, she takes a detour at humor, before she reaches her ultimate destination and lays claim to the heart.
Wouldn’t a young John Wayne be perfect to play the role of Chance in True Blue Cowboy by Debra Holt? This is a stubborn woman loved by a determined loyal cowboy story. While Josie Monroe is likable, Chance Braxton is lovable.
Well-written romance that gives insight into the plight of small family owned ranchers and farmers in the US today. One might would say well look at Chance’s family ranch, certainly the biggest around that Texas town. Even that one now has a board of trustees, not exactly just the patriarch running the total show anymore.
The marriage proposal is somewhat out of the norm but not so much as to be unbelievable. You can’t help but hope that Josie will get over her must-do-this-alone-to prove-females-can attitude before it is too late. I understand it but we are all stronger standing with someone we love and who loves us. Also the absent elusive Dev is so much part of this story that t the end you can’t help but hope his story is being written soon.
4.5 Stars
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.
Chance Braxton owns the successful ranch next door to Josie Monroe’s family ranch. He has grown up with her and has alway loved her. He has always looked out for her and her family. When her mother asked him to help Josie after her death, Chance knew that he could not say no. Chance has been secretly keeping the Monroe ranch afloat by backing the loans needed to keep the ranch going. Ranching is a tough business and ranching in an area where drought is common is even harder. But Chance has a soft heart for the Monroe family.
Josie Monroe has grown up thinking she has always had to be tougher than anyone else. Better than anyone else. Never let anyone see that she is afraid and scared. Always take care of her mom. And that she will never be accepted as a rancher because she is a female. When Josie’s mom passes away unexpectedly and Josie learns the details of her mother’s will and who holds the loans the ranch has, she goes ballistic. And her temper does not improve when Chance proposes marriage as a way out of some of the issues she is facing.
Can Chance and Josie manage to overcome her issues? Can Josie let herself take a chance on love and realize that she is actually stronger than she thinks even if she allows someone to help her?
This is the first book in what promises to be a wonderful new series by Debra Holt. And it is very well written and the characters are wonderful but I will be honest, I struggled with this book for some reason. I started it several times and it just not grab me. Other books I have read by this author have engaged me from the start so I am not sure why this one did not. But that should not stop you from reading it. And the fact it did not engage me is the only reason, I am giving this 3 stars.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Two steps forward, one step back best describes the road to romance in this engaging novel. His love has been for forever but she has long been enamored with his flashy brother. His steps to winning her heart are slow but steady, always hoping to prove he is the true one for her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story was a good start for the new series titled Blood Brothers.
Chance Braxton is a wealthy, and well respected rancher in Braxton. Josie Monroe is the daughter of his neighboring ranch. A ranch she’s struggling to keep from going under. She is also the girl that was always following him around and the one that only had eyes for his younger brother , Dev.
While Josie cried on his shoulders whenever Dev let her down, Chance only had feelings for Josie.
Fate and a promise brings them together when her mother dies. Will this finally open Josie’s eyes to Chance or will the past, Dev and circumstances surrounding them keep them apart?
The story was engaging, and the characters complex. While I liked Chance, and I understood Josie’s determination to do her own thing, at times I felt she was exasperating and not my favorite person.
That said, I am looking forward to what and who will be in the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. the opinions expressed are solely my own.
I very much enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend this book. It had some tense moments that I liked in this book.
DNF. The book did not pass my 100 page rule. I by page fifty I wanted to scream, GET OVER YOURSELVES
Terrible. The entire story made me dislike them both.
Just wish the sex parts weren’t so graffic
It was an o.k. book. The main characters were strong willed. I wanted to shake the woman. She was annoying.
To much unneeded sex and bad language
First book in a new series. While I love cowboys I had a hard time getting into the story and at times it seemed to drag. It’s has a marriage of convenience storyline. Chance has been in love with Josie forever only she doesn’t know it. He’s been looking after her and her family and backs loans to help their ranch. Due to her mom passing and her will, problems arising Chance offers a marriage of convenience to Josie. Only Josie is a hard head- sees herself as tough, wants to prove everyone wrong. Their relationship isn’t easy. Overall it was just okay. Definitely not my favorite by this author. But I know others will love it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.