Monday, October 17, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Blame It On the Cowboy by Delores Fossen


Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Logan McCord hated two things: clowns and liars. Tonight, he saw both right in front of him on the antique desk in Langford's Interior Designs, and he knew his life had changed forever. He would never look at a red squeaky nose the same way again.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.



Teaser from 4% (much longer than usual because I couldn't resist):
"What about an address?" Logan kept trying.
"I'm not really supposed to give that out--"
"She left something very expensive in the room, and I know she'll want it back."
The guy hemmed and hawed a little, but he finally rattled off, "221B Baker Street, London, England."
That was Sherlock Holmes's address.
Logan groaned and cursed. He didn't bother asking for a phone number because the one she left was probably for Hogwarts. 
What do you think? Would you keep reading?

My Review:

Blame It On the Cowboy (The McCord Brothers #3) by Delores Fossen
HQN, 2016
Romance; 384 pgs

One night stand scenarios that turn into love are not my favorite romance trope, but Delores Fossen won me over pretty quickly. Both rancher Logan McCord and chef Reese Stephens are both in crisis: Logan from finding his girlfriend having sex with another man just as he was hoping to propose to her, and Reese is fulfilling an item on her bucket list (to have sex with a "hot cowboy"), having just been diagnosed with a brain tumor, her death being imminent. The two meet in a bar and fall into bed shortly thereafter. No names are exchanged, not even identifying details. The morning after, Logan sees Reese slip something into his pocket. It turns out to be an antique pocket watch.

Months pass before their paths cross again. Reese's diagnosis had been a mistake, and she is as healthy as can be. She's slowly getting her life back together. The watch means everything to her, having once been her grandfather's. She sets out to find the "Hot Cowboy" based on very few clues. Logan is suspicious when he sees Reese again, sure she is up to no good. The two do not exactly get off to a good second start. He's from money. She's got a shady background and comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Neither of them are looking for love, but the attraction between them is undeniable. 

While Blame It On a Cowboy may appear to be a straight forward cowboy romance, Delores Fossen takes it to another level, adding intrigue and suspense that had me turning pages late into the night. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Reese's past catches up with her, and it's lucky she is in the small town of Spring Hill, Texas.

Reese and Logan are great characters. They both carry regret and guilt from their pasts, however misplaced. Reese doesn't imagine a guy like Logan could want anything to do with her, much less love her. She leads a transient lifestyle, moving from town to town, never settling down for long. I liked her resourcefulness. Reese is a strong woman, having had to overcome a lot, relying mostly on herself. She does have one friend who knows all about her sordid past, the sassy and beautiful Jimena. Although I imagine they look nothing alike, Jimena reminded me of Lula from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

Logan definitely comes across as that hot cowboy, as Reese and Jimena call him. It was impossible not to feel terrible for him when he walks in on his girlfriend and the clown just at the moment he is about to propose. He's angry, upset and feeling betrayed. Running his family business has always been Logan's top priority next to his family, and he loses himself even more in his work after that incident. He doesn't trust anyone easily, but when he cares about someone, he will go to great lengths to protect them.

This novel has quite a few unexpected twists and turns. I admit to thinking there might have been too many as they just kept coming--but in the end, it worked, everyone getting what they deserved. Delores Fossen's novel has a little bit of everything: romance, suspense, comedy, a bit of action, and plenty of drama. Blame It On the Cowboy is the 3rd in the McCord series, and I will definitely be looking for the earlier books I've missed.


To learn more about Delores Fossen and her work, please visit the author's websiteShe can also be found on GoodreadsFacebook and Twitter.


I hope you will check out what others had to say about Blame It On the Cowboy on the TLC Book Tours route!


Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour.  Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review.




© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

69 comments:

  1. Yep, I'd keep reading. Love the literary references.

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  2. This isn't my genre of book, but your paragraph sounded really funny! Who doesn't hate clowns? Especially now with all the creepy ones in the news.

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    1. Jennifer - I thought so too so I had to share. :-) The clown stories coming out are just crazy, aren't they? Very creepy.

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    2. It's weird that it's happening across the country. I wonder if it's random.

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    3. Jennifer - It does make you wonder, doesn't it?

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  3. So good to see you liked this one and that it had a few surprises added to the cowboy genre, always a delight.

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    1. Cleo - I didn't expect it to be so suspense oriented, and so that was a nice surprise.

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  4. I wouldn't continue, as this isn't my kind of genre, but thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  5. Hahaha wtf? Did he catch her having sex with a clown? Yep, I'd read it.

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  6. Not sure this is for me but do like the reference to hating clowns. Seems very topical.

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    1. Emma - Yes, it does seem topical given recent clown sightings everywhere, doesn't it?

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  7. Not my cup of tea, but I liked the teaser. This is mine:
    http://earthianhivemind.net/2016/10/18/teaser-tuesday-october-18/

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    1. Stephen - Yes, not a book for everyone, but I thought the teaser might appeal to many. :-)

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  8. lol love the teaser!
    I don't think I've ever read a cowboy romance before... not really anyway but then again I'm in Australia, if anything I'd read an Aussie outback romance ;)
    Sounds great though, enjoy!

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    1. Tiens - I have read very few cowboy romances, admittedly. I really enjoyed this one. I'd be up for reading an Aussie outback romance. :-)

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  9. These teasers are so much fun! I actually chuckled :) I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/10/teaser-tuesday-refuge-101816.html

    Colletta

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  10. The intro made me smile but, no thanks for me on this one.

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    1. Diane - It is a funny scene, although probably not for Logan. LOL

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  11. Probably not for me, but I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

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  12. That sounds pretty funny for a cowboy romance!

    My teaser today is from a YA new release about bullying. A real page-turner. https://wp.me/p3Nz8P-XL

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    1. P.D. - I thought so. There was a nice balance of comedy mixed in with the serious.

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  13. Not generally my kind of book but that opening made me laugh, so I might read a bit more to see if it hooked me.

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  14. I like the teaser. Might be a good one for me:)

    http://fuonlyknew.com/2016/10/18/love-in-an-elevator-a-romantic-comedy-anthology-blast-giveaway/

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    1. Laura - I really enjoyed it. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it too!

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    1. Laura - Thanks for the link. I've done that before too. :-)

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  16. It sounds like a good read. I sometimes wonder about how women are viewed by publishers. Can a cowboy not be hot with his shirt done up? Is that really what makes us grab a book? Here's my Tuesday link: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1i9

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    1. Lorraine - At least you know what your getting when you pick up a book with that type of cover. Compared to some I've seen, this one is pretty tame.

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  17. I love a good suspense tale, and one that elevates the one-night stand into something more is definitely one I want to read. I am definitely curious, now. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I think the author handled the one night stand story line well. It doesn't always work for me. I hadn't expected it to involve a suspense element. That was a pleasant surprise!

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  18. I can't resist a cowboy story! LOVE the clever dialogue in the Teaser. This sounds like a book I'd enjoy.
    My Tuesday post features ARE YOU THERE, ERMA? IT’S ME, GAYLE.

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    1. Sandra - I think you would like this one too. I really enjoyed it!

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  19. I normally don't read "cowboy romance", but this one did grab my attention.

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    1. 'Nise - I thought this one was well done. A lot of fun. :-)

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  20. Oh, I like a good cowboy romance every now and then and this sounds very interesting.
    My Tuesday read is http://bit.ly/demonslexicon

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    1. Suzanna - I like them every now and then too. :-) This would be a good one to try, if you are in the mood!

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  21. This totally isn't my thing and yet, somehow, I feel like I need to get it!

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    1. Karen - Haha! I feel that way about some teasers I come across too.

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  22. Great teaser! Lovely cover too... ;)
    Here is my TT: http://shoshireads.weebly.com/home/teaser-tuesday4952373

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  23. I usually steer clear of books with bare-chested men on the cover, but this one sounds pretty funny. I just might have to check this author out. :)

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  24. I like the first paragraph. It's impossible to walk away without finding out more about the squeaky red nose.

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    1. Margot - Haha! Yes, that opening paragraph is an attention grabber.

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  25. I would definitely continue reading this. It sounds so good.

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  26. This sounds like something that I would read. I haven't read a western romance in a while but this sounds fantastic. I just loved the teaser. Great review!

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    1. Carole - It was fun. I definitely want to read more by Fossen.

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  27. I don't think I've read a cowboy romance but I'll keep this book in mind should the mood calls for it. :)

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    1. Melody - I think the suspense/mystery aspect will appeal to you in addition to the romance, Melody.

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  28. I think the covers on some romances put me off, but it would be nice if more real men had such great abs!

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    1. Jenclair - I'm with you. I'm not a fan of some of those romance covers out there.

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  29. Clowns are creepy. Who better than the Marlboro Man to save us. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental My TT

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    1. Sherry - Yes, clowns can be creepy. Logan can save me anytime. Haha.

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  30. The teaser was fun and your review was great! Not my typical read but I do enjoy a good romance and if it's got some suspense even better!

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    1. Iliana - Suspense definitely adds to a romance novel, I think. :-)

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  31. Probably not my style! Thanks for visiting my Teaser this week!

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  32. Well good thing that diagnosis was a mistake! lol.
    This one actually sounds like fun romance, thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. Naida - Yes, good thing! She gave away everything thinking she was going to die. I am glad she didn't. This was a fun book. I am curious to try more by this author now.

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  33. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for being a part of the tour!

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