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Mistletoe Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #5)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 217 ratings · 53 reviews

'Tis the season for... A matchmaking grandma on a long-disantance mission Mistletoe temptation in every doorway A sexy cowboy with a killer smile

When Gran Presely agrees to sell Creed Riley the Rockin' C Ranch for a song at Christmastime, he can hardly believe his good fortune. There's just one little catch-her tantalizing granddaughter Sage is part of the deal...

Praise fo...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published October 2nd 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published October 1st 2012)

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Feb 08, 2013 Wminbc rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-soon-from-nrr, christmas-holiday, cowboys

Loving it so far...Creed sounds so good...the man is hot, big, and can cook!

My review was up a while back...I should find the link for y'all

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Dec 18, 2012 Amy Jacobs rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

It is the season for Holiday romance! I enjoy curling up by our fireplace with a roaring fire, cup of cocoa, and a sexy romance to read. I was looking forward to reading Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown this holiday season because I usually love anything by this author.

Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorites by this author. I couldn't get into the plot and Sage was not a favorite character for me. She was snotty and stand offish. I just couldn't bring myself to care about her turmoil an...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
Sage Presley heads home in time for Christmas to help her grandmother out. Problem is she's left before the snow storm and in her place is a man who will take care of the cattle ranch before she returns in 3 weeks time, as per their agreement.
If he can handle the ranch she may just sell it to him. She is an artist and paints and sells most of her work in Colorado.
Creed Riley loves taking care of the ranch, they have no electricity or phone service but with propan...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Karen rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is a really good example of when a book's rating has much more to do with intended audience than quality of the book.

Writing-wise, this book's about a 2.5 to a 3. Nothing to knock your socks off, fairly predictable, but it had its good moments. The dialogue was a little uneven (solid Texas drawl on the part of all the characters... except in spots where it sounded oddly formal), and there were a few bits that didn't ring true (it would make more sense for Sage to be all toe-curly about Cree...more This is a really good example of when a book's rating has much more to do with intended audience than quality of the book.

Writing-wise, this book's about a 2.5 to a 3. Nothing to knock your socks off, fairly predictable, but it had its good moments. The dialogue was a little uneven (solid Texas drawl on the part of all the characters... except in spots where it sounded oddly formal), and there were a few bits that didn't ring true (it would make more sense for Sage to be all toe-curly about Creed's "sexy Texas drawl" if EVERYONE in the book didn't talk like he does. SHE talks like he does. She LIVES in Texas. Der.) I can sympathize with Sage having lost her parents young, but the way she clings to the apron strings starts to strain belief (at least to me). And Creed's not bad, but I really could've done without his patronizing brand of "manners." If some strange guy had just barged in and told me he now owned the family home I'd lived in most of my life and then handed me glurge like "darlin', if you want your face to freeze like that, then just hold on to that nasty look," he and his "sexy" Texas drawl would be out on his ass before he got his chiseled jaw closed.

As far as intended audience goes... it definitely wasn't me. It made me think of that line from Blues Brothers: "We've got both kinds [of music]! Country AND Western!" This book is waaaaay deep into country. My idea of a night out on the town does not include the Cracker Barrel, cowboy boots are not the height of fashion, and Precious Moments-style paintings are not my idea of fine art. If George Strait came on the radio, I'd change it quicker than a hog downin' corn pone. (And yes, the book is full of sayings like those, too.)

From the jacket description, I'd been looking for a bit of culture clash and H/h at loggerheads. There's some friction between the H/h to start, but most of it is Sage feeling bereft that her grandma's deserted her. There's no culture clash to speak of... it's all just a passel o' cowfolk gettin' cozy in a blizzard.(less)

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Dec 05, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, 2012-discover-a-new-love-purchase, 4-wine-glasses

Read for Review (NetGalley)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 3.75

Part of my 25 Books for the Holidays for 2012

How Mistletoe Cowboy put me in the Holiday Spirit: There is nothing sexier than a Cowboy Romance during the holidays! Maybe it is that I am a Texas Gal but cowboy romances hold a special place in my heart. Throw in a snowstorm, a stray dog (and cat), flannel shirts and I am pretty much in the Christmas Spirit by page 2!

What I thought of the Characters/Story: Mistlet...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Sandy M rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, western

I keep telling myself every holiday season I’m going to read more Christmas stories. So when I ran across Carolyn Brown’s latest, I decided to start there. Despite a couple of issues, you do get the feeling of the season, lots of snow, chopping down and decorating the Christmas tree, all along with a sexy cowboy any woman would love to spend a quiet, warm evening on the sofa in front of a roaring fireplace.

Aside from Creed Riley, our hero of the book, I also enjoyed the mistletoe theme that’s we...more I keep telling myself every holiday season I’m going to read more Christmas stories. So when I ran across Carolyn Brown’s latest, I decided to start there. Despite a couple of issues, you do get the feeling of the season, lots of snow, chopping down and decorating the Christmas tree, all along with a sexy cowboy any woman would love to spend a quiet, warm evening on the sofa in front of a roaring fireplace.

Aside from Creed Riley, our hero of the book, I also enjoyed the mistletoe theme that’s weaved throughout the story. But first thing’s first. Creed has just made an agreement to buy the Rockin’ C Ranch in Duro Canyon from Sage’s grandmother. He’s been looking for the perfect ranch to call his own, and since the price is right, even with an odd stipulation, Creed thinks he’s found just the place. There’s a blizzard in the making, and if he’s lucky, he might have a few more days to himself in his new home before the terror of the canyon shows up.

Of course, his luck doesn’t hold out. Sage does whatever it takes to get through the storm and to the ranch before the brunt of it hits. She just makes it. Determined to talk her grandmother out of selling their home, she doesn’t realize she’s too late. Her grandmother has made the deal and it’s Creed she finds in the house instead. I’m happy to say that Ms. Brown doesn’t prolong the antagonism between these characters overmuch. That’s been my one beef in a lot of her books; the meanness just goes on and on. But this time, once Sage gets to know Creed and because they’re stranded while the blizzard rages, their attraction takes center stage much sooner.

Sage is an artist, a very talented and successful one at that. She’s now got plenty of time to set up her easel and create more for a future exhibit. Seeing the mistletoe that Creed has tracked into the house gives her the inspiration she needs to start a new collection. I really enjoyed this part of the story. Starting with the mistletoe, Sage’s ideas come from the paint gods, and what she comes up with is perfect for the holiday season. Creed also encourages her when it comes to her talent, something she’s not had outside her family. Sage is learning very quickly what a gentleman Creed is, how he looks at life and how he lives that life. What she learns she can’t help but like, but the man is still after her family home.

I do like Creed a lot. He’s the perfect cowboy gentleman from a loving home. He knows what he wants and he goes for it. Sage included. It does take a little bit to warm up to Sage, since she’s the one with the attitude against Creed in the beginning. This is a basic format in Ms. Brown’s books, which makes it feel as though you’re reading the same story, just different characters. So it’s nice this book doesn’t take that format too far. That being said, Sage does grow on you after a while once she sees what’s most important in her life.

One thing that makes reading Ms. Brown’s stories a little off kilter is her dialogue. While she has grown a bit in the areas I’ve already mentioned, dialogue is something that’s not grown at all. The main problem is the non-use of contractions more often. They are used at the beginning of a sentence and then suddenly they’re not used and the reading becomes stiff and awkward. And people just don’t talk to each other the way these characters do. A lot of the dialogue is used for information dumping at times. There’s also a lot of abrupt topic changes in conversations, which is disconcerting. I keep hoping Ms. Brown will take advantage of her RWA affiliations to help in this area.

But another area where she’s grown as an author is the love scenes. In early books those scenes didn’t go very far, to the extent where you felt a tad cheated when she closed the bedroom door on you after all that sexual innuendo and tension. However, in this book we’re more a part of the bed play, getting to know these characters even more, and that adds an extra layer to the entire story.

So if you’re looking for a Christmas read, try this one. Despite those couple of issues, it’s fun and has several nice ideas that make up for the missteps. A nice surprise, indeed.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Nov 21, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

My thoughts:
As always, Brown's book is just adorable. It's a feel good book, a book that feels like eating yummy pie by the fireplace. What can I say, it will make you happy too.

Sage is pissed, and she meets Creed. Sparks fly, yes neither is happy at first. As she wants the ranch and he wants the ranch. But little do they know that Grand's Indian Sense know exactly what these two need. Sure the love comes fast, but it feels right because they are soul mates and so meant to be. There is a bit of...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Mason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Before we know it Christmas will be here and a great way to get into the spirit of the season is by reading author Carolyn Brown’s latest release, MISTLETOE COWBOY.

Brown has a unique way of mixing a sexy cowboy, a spitfire artist, a blizzard, some Christmas magic, and a meddling grandmother for a rip-roaring good time. This story has steamy romance and a touch of old-fashion Christmas.

Sage Presley barely makes it home to the Rockin C Ranch before everything is cut off by a blizzard. She can’t be...more Before we know it Christmas will be here and a great way to get into the spirit of the season is by reading author Carolyn Brown’s latest release, MISTLETOE COWBOY.

Brown has a unique way of mixing a sexy cowboy, a spitfire artist, a blizzard, some Christmas magic, and a meddling grandmother for a rip-roaring good time. This story has steamy romance and a touch of old-fashion Christmas.

Sage Presley barely makes it home to the Rockin C Ranch before everything is cut off by a blizzard. She can’t believe her grandmother has agreed to sell the ranch to some cowboy. She’s determined to talk her out of it. But Sage doesn’t know her Grand has already left Texas early to visit her sister in Pennsylvania.

Creed Riley can’t believe his good fortune when Ada Presley agreed to sell him her ranch at a bargain. The only catch was he had to let her granddaughter live on the ranch for as long as she wants. Creed doesn’t see a problem with her living on the back forty. That is until he meets the granddaughter.

Thrown together by a desire for the ranch and a blizzard, sparks begin to fly between the snowbound couple. When you add in the world’s ugliest dog, a mama cat with kittens and Christmas preparations you’ll be laughing out loud.

Brown’s characters are well-developed and well-rounded. They are realistic making you wish you lived next door to them despite their flaws. She combines family, traditions, love, and friendship into a heartwarming Christmas story. She also has a way of blending wholesome family fun with tantalizing sexual tension.

MISTLETOE COWBOY is a sizzling quick read that is guaranteed to leave you feeling toasty. Part of Brown’s Spikes and Spurs series, this is a stand alone read. References are made to characters from other installments in the series, but new readers aren’t left in the dark.

Cowboys, Christmas, love, mistletoe and lots of humor - a great combination for a steamy read you won’t be able to put down.

FTC Full Disclosure - An eBook copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. (less)

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Nov 11, 2012 Kat ~ Forever Book Lover ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

You can find this review and more at Forever Book Lover.

I love reading holiday romance books, it's that time of year that I search for any and all holiday theme books. I stumbled across this at netGalley. And to be perfectly honest, yes it was the cover that caught my eye. And it was double the pleasure since it was a Christmas themed book, too.

The premise of the book is Widow Presley is wanting to sell her ranch. She makes arrangements with the buyer, Creed, he must stay at the ranch for a bit...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
4 STARS
Mistletoe Cowboy is the 5th book of the Spikes & Spurs series.
I like the plot line but too many love scenes and details for me. I skipped over a lot of scenes. Cute animals will still your heart.
Creed Riley has the chance to buy the Rockin' C Ranch cheaply but first thier are some conditions set by Gran Presely.
1.He has to stay at the ranch for 3 weeks taking care of the animals, while she is going to take care of her older sister. If the animals are...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.25 out of 5. Those who love Carolyn Brown's work and this series in particular will be delighted with this newest addition to the series. If you read Book 4, the story about Ace Riley and Jasmine, you will enjoy this novel that highlights Ace's younger brother Creed, a man who is now wanting his own spread and who has entered into a conditional agreement with Widow Presley. However, contending with the widow is nothing compared to the anger and resentment to be endured from Sage Presley, succe...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Eileen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cowboys

I won an ARC review of Mistletoe Cowboy and I absolutely loved it! She has one sassy cowgirl Sage and one hunkalish cowboy Creed (one of Ace's brothers)and sparks fly between them as they are stranded together in a blizzard. Both dealing with commitment issues they face off and try and get along and work the ranch but for different reasons. She started out not wanting to like him but he somehow he grow on her and find a way into her heart. Creed wants the ranch to have his own place but starts t...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Barb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Gran Presely agrees to sell Creed Riley the Rockin'C Ranch for a song at Christmastime. She knew her granddaughter, Sage, whom she raised after her parents died, would be highly upset, but she had it in her mind that Creed would make her granddaughter a good husband. Creed could hardly believe his good fortune. The opportunity to buy a ranch that he wanted more than anything. There's just one little catch - her granddaughter Sage is part of the deal... She got to live there for the rest of her l...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Kim (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com

For Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Mistletoe Cowboy is the first book by Carolyn Brown I’ve read. It will definitely not be the last one. I loved this book. In fact at times, I found it to be very funny. Hopefully, I was supposed to be laughing. Ada Presley, Sage’s grandmother, and her Aunt Essie, Ada’s older sister, are so funny when they’re together.

Mistletoe Cowboy is the story of Sage Presley and Creed Riley. While this book is a part of a series,...more Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com

For Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Mistletoe Cowboy is the first book by Carolyn Brown I’ve read. It will definitely not be the last one. I loved this book. In fact at times, I found it to be very funny. Hopefully, I was supposed to be laughing. Ada Presley, Sage’s grandmother, and her Aunt Essie, Ada’s older sister, are so funny when they’re together.

Mistletoe Cowboy is the story of Sage Presley and Creed Riley. While this book is a part of a series, it is completely stand alone. In fact, I didn't realize it was part of a series until I was looking up information on the author. Sage is a woman who doesn't want to commit herself to anyone or have anyone commit to her. She has a problem with people leaving her. Her father died when she was two and her mother died two years later. Sage was raised by her grandmother on the Rockin' C Ranch. Creed Riley on the other hand is from a very big family. He is one of seven boys. For Creed, ranching and farming is all he knows. He wants to own his own ranch apart from his family, not that he isn't close to his family. Creed is very much a family man.

With the help of a couple of stray animals in need of food and a warm place to stay, and some magically appearing mistletoe, Sage slowly but surely changes her outlook on things.

Ada Presley decides that she needs to move to Pennsylvania to take care of her older sister, Essie. She feels it is now time to force Sage to stand on her own two feet. When Creed first stepped on the porch of Rockin' C, Ada knew he was the man to buy, run, and own the ranch; and also the man for her precious granddaughter.

A snow storm bigger than what has appeared in the canyon in years, forces Creed and Sage to spend a week alone together with no electricity. What happens seems to be almost magical. Part of the agreement with Ada is that Creed has to spend three weeks at the ranch before he can buy it. Creed has to also agree to let Sage stay on the ranch for as long as she wants to.

One thing that struck me about this book was that I felt like I could actually hear the characters’ voices and the way they sounded.

Two people who didn't want anything serious suddenly realize they do and they aren't exactly sure how to handle their feelings. One of which who doesn't really want to admit it.

To paraphrase a couple of lines from the book, "The past is gone. The future is just a dot on the horizon. Today is all we have.".

Mistletoe Cowboy is a wonderful story. I am looking forward to reading more books by Mrs. Brown.

Source: NetGalley(less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Stephanie Collins rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars:

I have to say this was a cute quick read. Take a chance and you'll be charmed.

Sage is rushing home to save her grandmother from making a (in her eyes) huge mistake. She makes the dangerous trek to the isolated ranch right as a blizzard takes hold over the place. She thinks she's alone except for her grandma but boy oh boy does she get one heck of a surprise the next morning when she runs in to Creed. I liked watching her start to open her scarred heart to some abandoned animals and the...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Joelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mistletoe Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #5)
by Carolyn Brown

4 stars

http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-...

'Tis the season for... A matchmaking grandma on a long-disantance mission Mistletoe temptation in every doorway A sexy cowboy with a killer smile

When Gran Presely agrees to sell Creed Riley the Rockin' C Ranch for a song at Christmastime, he can hardly believe his good fortune. There's just one little catch-her tantalizing granddaughter Sage is part of the deal...

Paperback, 352 pages
Published O...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Guilty Pleasures added it

Shelves: guiltypleasures-gennieg

Gennie's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

5 Stars

Carolyn Brown hits it outta the park once again with Mistletoe Cowboy, the fifth installment of herSpikes and Spurs series. This book is focused more on the two main characters than the others in this series, but I love it just as much as the others.

In this installment, we meet Sage Presley, an artist who has sworn off commitment and men because they never stay. Sage is a relatable heroine who has a quirky and fun way of looking at the world, but...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Dottie rated it 5 of 5 stars

A clever, sexy tale. Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

Artist Sage was determined to get back to her grandmother’s place, the Rockin’ C Ranch, to stop her from selling it. Sage had lost her father when she was two years old, and she and her mother had moved in with her grandmother, Gran Presley. When Sage was four, her mother had died in an automobile accident. Having been deserted first by her father, then by her mother, Sage refuses to get close to anyone. Her grandmother has threaten...more A clever, sexy tale. Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

Artist Sage was determined to get back to her grandmother’s place, the Rockin’ C Ranch, to stop her from selling it. Sage had lost her father when she was two years old, and she and her mother had moved in with her grandmother, Gran Presley. When Sage was four, her mother had died in an automobile accident. Having been deserted first by her father, then by her mother, Sage refuses to get close to anyone. Her grandmother has threatened to sell the ranch before in an attempt to get her to find someone and settle down. But yesterday, Sage discovered that the sale was already in the works…to a cowboy. So fighting a vicious snowstorm, she drove as fast as she could to get to the ranch before her grandmother left for Pennsylvania to take care of her ailing sister. Finally arriving late in the night, she quietly made her way to her own bedroom, deciding to let her grandmother sleep and confront her in the morning.

aaQCreed Riley was overjoyed at the bargain price he paid for the Rockin’ C Ranch, but there was also a stipulation; Ada Presley’s granddaughter, Sage, could live on the ranch as long as she wanted. Seeing the impending storm coming, Ada had left a day early to go to her sister’s home, leaving Creed in charge of the ranch for the next three weeks. Ada was due to return on Christmas Eve. If everything went well during the three weeks, the sale would be finalized. But if he messed up, the sale was off. The good part about the snow storm was that now Sage would not be able to travel there. At least that was what he thought, until he walked into the cabin after feeding the livestock and discovered a fire in the fireplace, coffee had been made and a beautiful woman that could only be Sage was ready to throw him back out the door. Without electricity or phone service, they will have to wait out the three weeks together.

Sage is determined that the sale will not go through, but as she spends time with Creed, she realizes how perfect he is for the ranch. But she wants to have her cake and eat it too. Is it possible to have a future with this sexy cowboy on the ranch she loves so much, with her grandmother and great-aunt residing there also? However, Creed, falling in love with Sage, begins to consider cancelling the sale because he cannot bear to see the woman he loves in tears again. Will he be able to walk away from the ranch where he has found peace and the woman he loves?

A deliciously sexy tale, MISTLETOE COWBOY, the fifth book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s SPIKES AND SPURS series, is a clever, passionate contemporary romance that will captivate you from the very first page. Ada credits her Indian blood for her foresight. From her first glimpse of Creed, she knows he and Sage would be perfect for each other. So she sets her plans in motion. Sage seems to have her own special quality, which she uses in her art. Adding extra appeal to the story are the pregnant dog and cat with kittens that Creed and Sage find on the ranch during their first day together. As for Creed and Sage, they are perfect for each other and I could not help rooting for them. A big fan of Ms. Brown’s work, I have eagerly awaited this story, and I definitely was not disappointed. Packed with humor, adorable pets, a vicious snowstorm, sexy situations, Christmas, steamy hot romance and true love, this story is a winner. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to reading the next book in this delectable series, JUST A COWBOY AND HIS BABY, due out in December 2012.

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
(less)

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Dec 27, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have a great love for Christmas romance novels. I had never read any of Carolyn Brown’s previous novels, but I jumped at the chance to review her Christmas cowboy romance.

Sage Presley is having a bad Christmas. While away at an art show, her Grandma has decided to sell the family ranch to a stranger and move to Pennsylvania to take care of her older sister. Sage rushes home in a blizzard to talk her Grandma out of the absurd idea, only to find herself snowed in with sexy cowboy Creed and her G...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Wanderlust rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hot-alpha-men, save-a-horse-ride-a-cowboy

Cover & Title - five out of five.
Favorite Character - Sage

I want Creed Riley for my Christmas present.

No truer words have ever been written.
This book was my brightness on a cold, dark autumnal day. It is a real pick me up of a story. I would go as far as to compare it to the literary version of a cuddle.
I loved the characters, Creed is one sexy cowboy & Sage is one creative Miz. The relationship between them is a slow but beautiful build. The author makes their love very realistic. Th...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Crystal Leo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, cowboy-themed

This review was originally posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club!

I just read a 300+ page book that reminded me of a giant Hallmark card. That's to say that the book was very sweet, and at times a little funny. Plus with the Christmas theme, seriously, it really did remind me of a Hallmark card. Guess that's ok though, cause everybody likes those sappy greeting cards!

Creed Riley is determined to buy the Rockin' C ranch. Miz Ada, the old woman who owns it, has given him one hell of a deal...more This review was originally posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club!

I just read a 300+ page book that reminded me of a giant Hallmark card. That's to say that the book was very sweet, and at times a little funny. Plus with the Christmas theme, seriously, it really did remind me of a Hallmark card. Guess that's ok though, cause everybody likes those sappy greeting cards!

Creed Riley is determined to buy the Rockin' C ranch. Miz Ada, the old woman who owns it, has given him one hell of a deal on the price, and finally his dreams of ranch ownership are within his grasp. The only thing in his way his Miz Ada's granddaughter Sage, who is as equally determined to keep the family ranch. He feels bad that the Sage is going to get her feelings hurt when Miz Ada sells the ranch to him, but she's not completely losing out. The agreement is that if Creed buys the ranch that he has to let Sage live on it for as long as she likes. At least she doesn't have to leave the land, but whether it hurts her feelings or not, he's bound and determined to buy it.

Sage is a successful western artist. Her paintings generate enough in sells so that she can do what she loves for a living, which is paint. Besides painting, the only other two things that she loves in life are her Gran, and their ranch. Now Gran has told her that she's selling the ranch to some cowboy so that she can go live in Pennsylvania and help her older sister on that farm. Sage is hurt and confused as to why Gran is leaving her. Her entire life it's felt like anyone she was close to has left her. Her father died when she was two. Her mother dies when she was four. All she has left in life is her Gran, the ranch, and her art, and now Gran is taking most of that away?

Sage is determined to talk her Gran out of this sell, but she doesn't arrive in time to talk to her Gran at the ranch before a huge snow storm hits and snows her in the house. Her Gran left a day early to go to her sister's, and now Sage is snowed in with Creed. She plans to pull out her worst mean routine to drive him crazy, and hopefully drive him away, but how can you stay mean to a man as sweet as Creed? Will the two work it out for the future of the Rockin' C Ranch? And what happens when they start acting on the chemistry that sparks between them? Well readers, what happens is you read a story so sweet that it gives you a literary toothache. The story felt a little slow at times for me, but overall it was a nice read. It wasn't my favorite Carolyn Brown book, that honor would go to the Lucky Series, but others might enjoy it more than I did. I give it a three and a half wine glass toast, and may you all enjoy the spirit of Christmas through this book!(less)

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Apr 01, 2013 Nance rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2013, nance-s, softcover

This novel started off a little slow for me, but it finished on a high note. My fourth and final Readers Choice Award novel to judge, ended up to be a bit more intimate and satisfying read than I had anticipated from the beginning first few chapters. By the mid-point of the book, it had picked up much more steam, and one couldn’t help by fall in love the hero, Creed Riley. What a lovable gentlemen this cowboy was! So sweet!

Sage Presley is on her way home to the Rockin’ C Ranch in Texas, but she...more This novel started off a little slow for me, but it finished on a high note. My fourth and final Readers Choice Award novel to judge, ended up to be a bit more intimate and satisfying read than I had anticipated from the beginning first few chapters. By the mid-point of the book, it had picked up much more steam, and one couldn’t help by fall in love the hero, Creed Riley. What a lovable gentlemen this cowboy was! So sweet!

Sage Presley is on her way home to the Rockin’ C Ranch in Texas, but she doesn’t know what to expect once she gets there. When her grandmother tells that she intends to sell the ranch to Creed, Sage promises that she will do everything in her power to make her change her mind! What’s Grand thinking? That ranch has been in the family for years! It’s a family legacy! What she gets when she arrives home, is more than she has bargained for. Breathtakenly magnetic Creed is more than she ever imagined! He’s just so sexy...yum!!! But, Sage is somewhat rude to him when they first meet. I think she was a little insecure at times when it came to having someone as handsome as Creed be attracted to someone like her. She describes herself as being an “amazon” – tall, gangly, and cosmetically challenged. Not a petite southern gal like numerous woman living in their small town. But, what she needs to understand is that Creed is not like that at all. He’s not one to judge; besides, he’s had his heart broken before when his former fiancee’ called off their engagement because her heart had been spoken for elsewhere. So, Sage had to trust that Creed would protect that vulnerable side of her. When all is said and done, the couple, with a little help from Sage’s grandmother, knew that they were destined to be together especially after overcoming a few hurdles along the way.

I originally was only going to give the novel 3 stars, but as I read along, because the hero is so dynamic and beautiful, I decided to award it 4 stars. Yes, I eventually warmed up to Sage. Creed just brought out the best of her! He would do anything for her. That “cowboy” really did it for me (swoon)! He just had such a big heart!

“It was there. It wasn’t a myth that writers talked about. There was really afterglow and it really did wrap around them like golden sunshine,” (pg 216 – after Sage and Creed make love for the second time).

“He lost his heart to her. And then she cried. Sage deserved happiness and he loved her enough to give it to her.” (page 218 – when he makes his decision about buying the ranch). What an unselfish man! Beautiful!

You won’t be disappointed when reading about this chivalrous tender-hearted cowboy! Who wouldn’t have wanted to be stranded in a snow storm with this romantic specimen of deliciousness?
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Dec 27, 2012 Aisha Oaktree rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reviews, fiction, netgalley-reviews, read-in-2012, romance

Review Originally Posted on By The Broomstick

Oh how I love cowboy novels, from I was a little girl watching old Western movies starring John Wayne & Clint Eastwood with my dad, I just wanted to meet and love a real live Cowboy. I even love the team just cause of their name, (come on don't judge me; they are my team & I love them even if they haven't exactly been playing their best in the last two three years... you know what don't get me started on them 'Boys).

This story was both scary...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Ellie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mistletoe Cowboy, Spikes & Spurs #5, by Carolyn Brown
Grade: B-

“Convincing her to leave the five-acre farm was like getting St. Peter to open up the pearly gates and welcome Lucifer in for a double shot of Jack Daniels.”

Creed Riley took one look at the Rockin’ C Ranch and knew it was meant to be his. The ranch’s owner Gran Presley has given Creed three weeks while she visits her sister to get a feel for the ranch before selling it to him. Gran’s only stipulation is that her granddaughter Sage...more Mistletoe Cowboy, Spikes & Spurs #5, by Carolyn Brown
Grade: B-

“Convincing her to leave the five-acre farm was like getting St. Peter to open up the pearly gates and welcome Lucifer in for a double shot of Jack Daniels.”

Creed Riley took one look at the Rockin’ C Ranch and knew it was meant to be his. The ranch’s owner Gran Presley has given Creed three weeks while she visits her sister to get a feel for the ranch before selling it to him. Gran’s only stipulation is that her granddaughter Sage will always be allowed to live on the ranch for as long as she wants. Knowing the ranch is exactly what he wants Creed agrees to the deal but he never expected the granddaughter to show up or to be so attracted to her.

Sage Presley was orphaned as a young child and has developed a strong fear of commitment from losing her parents at such a young age. Sage is shocked to discover her grandmother might sell the ranch to Creed Riley and even more shocked to find herself attracted to the sexy rancher. When Creed and Sage are snowed in with a couple of strays for company they soon discover feelings neither knew existed and must learn to finally open, trust and fall in love.

Mistletoe Cowboy is the fifth book in Carolyn Brown’s Spikes and Spurs series set in Northwest Texas. Creed Riley was introduced in his brother’s book One Hot Cowboy Wedding but Sage was a new character who was very fun to get to know. I liked this book but I did miss all of the past characters and the O’Donnells who always provide lots of laughs and plenty of entertainment.

This book is very different from the rest of the series because of the fact that Sage and Creed are snowed in on the Rockin’ C Ranch and have no one else to talk to except each other and the stray dog and cat they rescued and adopted. There are other characters including Gran, her sister and Sage’s best friend but most of the book was just Sage and Creed which took awhile to get used to. Because it was just the two we didn’t get to see either character talking about their relationship with other and there wasn’t as much humor as there are in previous books. I found Mistletoe Cowboy to be a little more serious and a little slower than what I’m used to from Carolyn Brown.

With all that being said I really did like this book. Sage and Creed have great chemistry together and I loved watching two very anti-relationship people open up and fall very fast and very hard for one another. Creed and Sage balance each other very nicely and seem to have everyone, from Gran to their animals, trying to get them together. I really enjoyed Noel, the stray dog, and I fell like her and her puppies allowed Sage to get attached and finally open up her heart so she could fall in love with Creed. Creed is one sexy cowboy and he turns out to be the sweetest man, in my opinion, of the series so far.
Mistletoe Cowboy wasn’t my favorite in the Spikes and Spurs series but it was a good addition. I missed Ringgold, Texas and the O’Donnell clan. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and I hope we get to see more of Sage and Creed in future books. If you like christmas with a side of sexy cowboy this is a book for you and you will not be disappointed. (less)

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Dec 19, 2012 Anastasia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, romance, reviewed-for-rt

After Creed Riley buys a ranch from a sweet old lady, he planned to familiarize himself with the place while enjoying some peace and quiet. Instead, what he gets is the old woman’s granddaughter, Sage Presley, a spitfire who’s none too pleased about the recent change of ownership. When the two get stuck in a snowstorm for two weeks, sparks and insults fly as the two catch a case of serious cabin fever. However, when combined with a stray cat and dog and a few sprigs of mistletoe, Creed and Sage...more

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Dec 31, 2012 drey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, romance-contemporary

Sage Presley can’t believe her grandmother is selling the Rockin’ C Ranch — to a stranger! And at Christmas! What is she thinking? So she hurries to the ranch, only to get stuck there in a snowstorm, sans Grand. But she’s not alone. Oh no.

Creed Riley is thankful for the chance at his very own ranch, even if it comes with a three-week “test phase” clause, and a whole pile of snow. What he’s not quite so thankful for is the unexpected guest who arrived in the dead of night, or the mutt who follows...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Amanda P rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy-provided, own-as-an-ebook, contemporary-romance

If I could sum this book up in just one word, I think it would be mediocre. There was nothing really special about this book. It was meh. I’ve read other books in this series and quite enjoyed them. Our heroines are usually sassy and funny and the cowboys loveable and stand out. Now I’m not saying these characters are not likable, they are, but again nothing really sticks out about them. Sage is not particularly sassy or funny. She is a bit whinny and insecure, which I was not expecting. Creed w...more If I could sum this book up in just one word, I think it would be mediocre. There was nothing really special about this book. It was meh. I’ve read other books in this series and quite enjoyed them. Our heroines are usually sassy and funny and the cowboys loveable and stand out. Now I’m not saying these characters are not likable, they are, but again nothing really sticks out about them. Sage is not particularly sassy or funny. She is a bit whinny and insecure, which I was not expecting. Creed was more likeable, he is affable and friendly. He knows how to charm the ladies. We probably should have spent more time with Creed and less time with Sage.

The conversation felt awkward to me, it didn’t feel natural at times. It almost felt like the author is out of touch with how late 20’s and early 30 something’s talk. Now granted I am no expert on rural Texas dialect. I’ve only been to Austin a few times and to Dallas. But I am from rural Indiana and we talked just like everyone else with a slight accent. LOL. So, I am not sure if in rural Texas it is common for the men to refer to themselves in the third person and using “cowboy” instead of their name. For example “This cowboy recons that it is time to do the chores”. Now I don’t mind someone referring to themselves in the third person and as a cowboy occasionally, but it happened all the time. It started grating on my nerves, I started thinking ok, I get it you’re a cowboy. Moving on now. Speaking moving along, I usually finish a book in 1 or 2 days, sometimes 3 depending on how busy I am or if I’m reading more than one book at a time. This book took me almost two weeks to finish. It wasn’t good enough for me to be so into it that I read for long stretches but it wasn’t bad enough to put down to never pick it back up.

Now, I don’t want you thinking it was all bad. There were some endearing moments in this book, the animals were cute. There were a few touching moments. The neighbors added a little extra to the book, they added a distraction to the otherwise somewhat boring story line.
*This book was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review.
Rating: 3
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Oct 29, 2012 Aislynn (Stitch Read Cook) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-s-to-review, ebook, contemporary-romance, read-in-2012, netgalley-read, cowboys

Sage is shocked and upset that her Grandmother has decided to sell the ranch! She’s driven home in a blinding blizzard to talk out of what she thinks is a mistake. Unfortunately for Sage, she arrives too late and her Grandmother has already left for the winter!

Stranded at the ranch, Sage meets Creed – the cowboy who wants to buy the ranch. These two commitment phobic characters are thrown together by a crazy blizzard, looking after abandoned animals and trying to keep their hands to themselves.

O...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Rachel Webb rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not my cup of tea. I got an ARC of this from netgalley and since I try to write reviews on there, I decided to give it a try, but it was just too much drivel for me. I like a little more action and adventure (and a story) in my romance and this one was just too homey and cuddly. Not to mention the dialect got on my nerves. Not all people who come from a ranch or small town use "we was..." or "you was..." and that drove me crazy! STEREOTYPE! I didn't need that at all.

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Dec 06, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 1/2 sweet peas!

Carolyn Brown writes great contemporary western romance, and when she mixes a feisty woman with a deliciously sexy man you know things are going to get exciting and turbulent before any HEA is possible.

Please see my complete review on Dec. 9, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....

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About Carolyn Brown

Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my be...more Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!

Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.

I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.

I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.

Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!

I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.

Happy reading!(less)

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Mistletoe Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #5)

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