Books & Spoons Review for THE CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO by Donna Grant

31/10/2017

’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 wit’s 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?

A sweet romantic story with a dash of danger and family drama that will surely hold your interest and entertain your mind.
I liked the story of ex-Navy SEAL Clayton East and Abby Harper. They were both strong characters, well thought out with room to grow and develop through the story. They both had their own issues with their past and with their families. Learning to trust and open up, learning to share life and the deep dark secrets their hold inside is something they both had to work on.
Abby is a strong and capable young woman, the legal guardian of her younger brothers. She has struggled to provide to her brothers the best life possible. And even though they might lack in some material goods, they have a strong, loving bond between them that is palpable and more valuable than anything else. The abandonment and trust issues Abby has developed over the years keeps her from taking the leap to embrace the attraction she feels towards the sexy SEAL currently protecting her and her brothers.
Clayton has avoided the painful memories his home brings to him and stayed away for four long years until his father's poor health and problems at the ranch bring him home. He is strong, protective, and deadly when so needed, yet there is a kind, tender, generous spirit in him that believes in second chances and new beginnings.
Not only does Clayton have a sizzling chemistry with Abby, he has a connection with her brothers as well.
I liked the romance between Abby and Clayton, it had obvious physical attraction yet also something very sweet and adorable in it, a word wholesome came to mind more than once while I was reading the book. Maybe that's why it felt so out of place that every movement of Clayton's cock (the author's choice of a word) was mentioned. The sex scenes were tender and loving, and amply describing the attraction between them and fitting part of the plot, but the 'cock twitching' felt an unnecessary addition to the tale, in my opinion.
The bit of a mystery with the accounting and cattle theaves brought spice and danger to the story, as well as the struggles of the Harper's over the years brought human interest side that touched my heart.
An enticing tale with scenes from poignant and delightful to thrilling and pleasing, a quick, entertaining read.
~ Four Spoons