Sunday 11 February 2018

REVIEW: HEART OF A COWBOY by KRISTIN VAYDEN


Heart of a Cowboy
Elk Heights Ranch #1
By Kristin Vayden
Releasing December 19th, 2017
Lyrical Caress



A stubborn cowboy has sworn never to forgive or forget—but one special woman may find a way to change his mind . . .

Hospice nurse Laken Garlington helps people face the end with peace and dignity, surrounded by their loved ones. But the son of her new patient didn’t come home to reunite with his dad. So why is Cyler Myer back in horse country? It’s clear the sexy, six-three hunk with the steely eyes has a score to settle, and Laken doesn’t plan on being collateral damage . . . no matter how irresistible she finds the prodigal cowboy.

Dying is too good for the father Cyler will never forgive—not in this lifetime. Showing up at his family’s Washington State ranch is the first step in his plan. But revenge takes a back seat to desire when Cyler meets a bossy beauty who arouses feelings he isn’t ready to face. As they work together to save an ailing mare, Cyler realizes he must decide where his true destiny lies. With darkness...or with the woman who offers the promise of redemption with every kiss.

BUY LINK:  Amazon





In Heart of a Cowboy (Elk Heights Ranch #1) by Kristin Vayden, Laken Garlington will do anything to make a patient's last moments as peaceful as possible, but certainly that's not going to happen for her patient whose son has returned home with nothing but revenge on his mind. However, she's not about to let Cyler get away with upsetting her patient not if she can help it. Yet, the more time she spends in Cyler's company, the more she finds herself falling for the son of her patient; something that is totally unethical. Will Laken be able to do the impossible by brokering peace between her patient and his son and get the happy ever after she deserves, or will Lake walk away from her chance at happy ever after because she loves her job?

What a brilliant start to this series Ms. Vayden has delivered in this book where the hero is set on revenge; the heroine is determined to get her patient through the worst of his pain, so he can die in peace and hopefully set things right with his son; and the growing relationship between this couple is wonderful, as Laken knows it's a bad idea to get involved with Cyler, but finds it impossible to resist. The way this story started had me liking the heroine immediately, as she and her best friend are really close. Yet, it was the line about Starbucks that had me smiling, as her friend is right that she definitely needs to be cut off from caffeine if that's the way she's headed in terms of lovers. 

As for the dialogue, it was intense and highly emotional because of what's happening with her patient and how both the main characters deal with the fact that it's only a matter of time until Cyler's dad dies. Will Cyler be able to forgive his father for what the man did, even though things worked out for the best? Really, Cyler dodged a bullet when it came to his ex. Furthermore, both the main characters are compelling and have very interesting back stories that just made me want to read more about them. Such as the reason why Laken does what she does as a nurse helping patients deal with their final days and Cyler finally coming home and dealing with his anger towards his father and whether his need for revenge will help him to heal from the hurts of his past; hurts that his father caused. 

With the heroine, she's resilient and courageous in being able to do what she does and I liked how she helped her patient and his son find a way to work out their differences and hopefully get some closure from what happened between them in the past. I also liked how she handled the hero's ex, as the woman is a nuisance and needs to be put in her place. How dare she come around after what she did? Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is that she took a chance on the hero, even though it could cost her job for getting involved with anyone associated with her patient. While the hero, revenge was on his mind in the beginning and I could understand why after everything that went down between him and his dad. Yet, in saying that, I liked how he handles things when it comes to finally being able to move past what happened between them. Really, the heroine definitely helps with her need to interfere and need to make sure old issues are resolved before it's too late. 

Overall, Ms. Vayden has delivered a worthwhile read in this book where emotions run high because of what both the main characters go through when it comes to Cyler's father and the fact that he's dying; the intense chemistry between this couple had me hoping that Laken would give into their chemistry sooner rather than later; the romance was nicely-detailed and had me liking this couple together, as Cyler needs Laken after all that he's been through in his past; and the ending had me crying both sad and happy tears, as the hero and heroine help each other through the hard times while celebrating their future together. I would recommend Heart of a Cowboy by Kristin Vayden, if you enjoy the revenge trope, the opposites attract trope, or books by authors Rachel Van Dyken, Layla Hagen, Nicole Helms and Kate Pearce.


























































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