The Christmas Cowboy Hero: A Western Romance Novel

Written by Donna Grant

Narrated by Rebecca Estrella

'Tis the season for ex-Navy SEAL Clayton East to come home for the holidays-even if the mood at home is anything but festive. His father is ill. The East Ranch is in financial trouble. And now it's on Clayton, the prodigal son, to make sure his family doesn't lose everything.

Headstrong Abby Harper is like a mother to her younger brothers, who she's helped raise since she was a teenager. Keeping them in line is no small task while she's also working toward her college degree. And now that one of her brothers has been arrested for stealing cattle at the East Ranch, Abby is at her wits' end. But there is a silver lining: Clayton East. He believes in second chances, and is willing to give one to her brother this Christmas. Letting beautiful Abby-and the inescapable longing in his heart-off the hook, however, is a whole 'nother story. Could it be that the woman of this local hero's dreams has been back at home all along?

Contains mature themes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781541482944

Donna Grant

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas. "Dark, sexy, magical. When I want to indulge in a sizzling fantasy adventure, I read Donna Grant." --Allison Brennan, New York Times Bestselling Author

Reviews for The Christmas Cowboy Hero

[thegenreminx · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Let’s just start this review with saying do you not just love the cover for The Christmas Cowboy Hero?! Definitely a case of love at first sight for me! Clayton East was also a yummy character who had a great heart. Although he was not the same man he was before he left for the military he was still a good man. At the start of this story, he was not really interested in going back home to the ranch he grew up on because he was not ready to face his loved ones. He did not want his family to see just how much he had changed.While on a job in South Africa, Clayton had received a call that his family’s ranch was in dire straits. Through a series of major losses, they were teetering on bankruptcy. Clayton’s mother had called to implore that Clayton come home and help them set things straight. Once home though, Clayton realized that things were worse than he feared and he was determined to find those responsible for his family’s losses.What Clayton never expected was to find a teenage kid wrapped up with cattle rustlers and that his older sister would have such an effect on Clayton. He was immediately taken with Abby Harper but more than anything he was angry at her brother. He needed to know who was involved with stealing the cattle and why was his family targeted. Unfortunately, Abby’s brother, Brice, refused to tell anyone the truth of the matter.Clayton was once a trouble youth himself and he decided to give Abby’s brother a second chance but on Clayton’s terms. Brice had to work off his debt at the East Ranch farm. Clayton was hoping that a little hard work would put the boy on the right track and hopefully he would also learn to trust Clayton enough to tell him who was a part of the trouble that landed Brice in the situation he was in. Clayton was also hoping to see Abby more and maybe get to know her better.There was just something about Abby that drew Clayton’s attention and kept it. He had not been this taken with a woman in a long time and he couldn’t help pursuing her but Abby was not going to come easy. Her heart was very guarded and it was going to take a Christmas miracle for her to accept what Clayton was trying to offer her. Clayton was also going to have to come around to accepting a few things about himself that were also changing.This story was not all romance and insta-love though. There was a great mystery element to who stole the cattle from the East family as well as some sleuthing with an element of suspense. There is also action and danger in this novel that lead to a few heart pumping minutes where it is uncertain how things were going to play out. In short The Christmas Cowboy Hero will keep you on your toes as well as causing your heart to swoon over a sexy SEAL who has gone back to his cowboy roots.The Christmas Cowboy Hero is a series starter for the Heart of Texas series and oh heck yeah this is going to be a series that I follow. I loved the family connection that was built up through this story and I can’t wait to see where things go in its sequel. As far as Christmastime elements go, this story did not have a huge emphasis on Christmas traditions but it definitely gave me that Christmastime vibe that I love to feel whenever I am reading a story that takes place during the Christmas season. I highly recommend this story to readers who love Christmas, hard luck stories, and swoony cowboys who know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. Such a good read!This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant is a 2017 St. Martin’s Press publication. This one’s a winner!! Ex-Navy SEAL AND a Cowboy? Yes, please.Clayton has returned home at his mother’s bidding, due to his father’s sudden illness and the family ranch teetering on bankruptcy, due to a major embezzlement scheme and cattle theft ring. When Abby Harper’s younger brother is caught stealing cattle, as his guardian, she must sort things out. When Clayton realizes Abby is raising her brothers and is a little overwhelmed, his heart melts a little, and he decides to cut her some slack, by generously allowing her brother to work off his debt at his ranch.As Abby begins to spend a little time at the ranch, she learns of Clayton’s financial issues and winds up helping him uncover the embezzlement issues, but she also finds herself falling for the tortured cowboy, and Clayton begins to have feelings for the beautiful lady who had to grow up too quickly when she had to step up and become a parent to her brothers at the ripe old age of eighteen. I loved this story for many reasons. Everyone deserves a second chance, and although Clayton may have been moved more by Abby than her brother’s regret and remorse for the crimes he committed, by having him work off his debt, it helped Brice build character, and he responded to having a stable male presence in his life. I also love the tortured hero complex and Clayton has all those traits. His time in the military left him hallowed out and the loss of his brother gutted him. You won’t be able to resist this big hearted Texan! Abby is being taken advantage of by her boss, has her hands full trying to make ends meet, and raise her brothers. I admired her loyalty and responsibility to her brothers, and I’m glad she found a better life for herself and her brothers. This may be my favorite contemporary holiday romance, so far, this year! It’s sensual and sexy, but also has a little suspense and mystery, with lots of drama and a heartwarming holiday atmosphere to top it all off. That I’m a little partial towards SEALS and cowboys is also a big added bonus! This is the first book in a new series, and that means more Texans and more cowboys. I can sense my romance novel diet could be coming to an end. So, Merry Christmas to me!! This one gets all the stars! 5 stars

[carolesrandomlife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! I am not usually someone who reads a lot of Christmas stories. I will read them but I don't really look for them. This book made its way into my hands and something about that cover drew me right in and I wanted to start reading it right away. Once I started, I didn't want to stop and I ended up reading the whole thing from cover to cover in a single day. I really enjoyed every moment I spent reading this wonderful little story.Clayton is ex-military and has been working overseas until he is called home to the family ranch. The ranch is in trouble and his dad is sick so Clayton must come home to run things and try to save the ranch. Abby has not had it easy. She has been raising her two younger brothers and doing her best to get ahead in life. Abby and Clayton meet when Abby's brother is caught stealing cattle from the ranch Clayton's family owns. Not the best way to start things. Clayton turns out to be a really nice guy and instead of sending Abby's brother, Brice, to jail he lets him come and work his debt off at the ranch. Clayton also enlists Abby's help with the ranch's books hoping that she can sort out exactly what is going on.I loved the characters in this book. Abby and Clayton were both amazing. Abby was strong and cared deeply for her two brothers. She was smart and willing to sacrifice her wants for the sake of other people. Clayton was such a good guy. He has had some things to deal with in his personal and military life. I loved this pair together. They had great chemistry from the very beginning and it was really wonderful to watch them fall in love. The secondary characters were also really well done. Abby's two brothers, Brice and Caleb, played a large role in the story and were really great. Their relationship with their sister really helped illustrate how much she cared for them. Clayton's parents were also key players in the story. I liked how they welcomed Abby and her brothers as if they were family right from the start. The mystery in the book kept things interesting. I really wanted to see Clayton save the ranch with Abby's help. There were a few scenes where we got to see Clayton, a former SEAL, in action which was pretty exciting. This was really a book more focused on romance than anything else and it did a wonderful job with it. I don't know that there was really anything too surprising in the book but everything was executed perfectly. I couldn't help but get swept away by this romantic tale.I would highly recommend to fans of contemporary romance. This book had just the right combination of romance, action, and great characters. The story had just the right amount of Christmas adding just a bit to the story. This is the first book by Donna Grant that I have read and I am really looking forward to reading more of her work soon.I received a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press.

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna GrantHeart of Texas #1Called home to “fix things” on the family ranch but not ready to face the demons at home or the ones that have tagged on for the ride after years as a Navy SEAL Clayton East does what he must and heads home to find out where the money and the rustled cattle have disappeared to. One of the first people he encounters while dealing with the rustler issue is Abby Harper. Why Abby? Her brother is the only one of the rustlers caught in the act and she has come in to the jail to plead his case. Abby has been the sole custodian of her 14 and 16 year old brothers for eight years and is not willing to let them fall by the wayside or end up with a criminal record – not if there is anything she can do to prevent it. Well, as a meet-cute this was one that poleaxed both Clayton and Abby and started the two on the way to their HEA! After Clayton talks to Abby, her brother Brice and the police he decides to give Brice a helping hand and second chance. Karma can be a b*tch or can bring blessings and that is just what happens for all involved as Brice finds he loves ranching (and so does his brother Caleb), Abby finds herself in her element searching through ledgers to find out where the East Ranch money disappeared to, Clayton and Abby find a safe harbor (and more) together, Clayton’s parents enjoy having a full house again and the b*tch side of karma comes to roost on the bad guys as they are caught and dealt with. This book has all the elements necessary to warm your heart whether you read it during the holidays or some other time of year. I can hardly wait to find out who will be featured in the next book of this series and am eager to read it when it comes out. Thank you to NetGaley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.5 Stars

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna GrantOh, look! A new Christmas novel by Donna Grant.It has passion, a swoon-worthy hero, a deserving heroine, and lots of family closeness. A cowboy, former SEAL combo. A must read for the holiday season.I loved that both the hero and heroine were immediately blown away by the other. Both got caught in the other’s eyes. Each felt “weak in the knees.”While the narrative in the third person alternated between the two, we heard a lot from the hero. And what powerful thoughts they were. I kept getting swept up in his rapture. Here are 3 short thoughts from the hero that made me fall in love with him.“The sound of her voice was music to his ears.” “Her big blue eyes seemed to suck his very soul away.”“And he recognized that, without her, he was an emotional wreck. But Abby centered things, and stabilized him.”I will be looking for more books by this author, hoping the relationships are as strong.I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.