Title: Lucky Cowboy
Series: Ace Cowboy: Book One
Author: Liz Borino
Publisher: NineStar Press
Length: 245 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: This is a great start to a new series, with solid potential to move on with these entertaining characters. I liked how this novel ended, and all I can say is bring on the sequel!
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Childhood friends and lost loves.
A former horse trainer turned stockbroker, Ryder Christensen planned to spend the rest of his life with Sal—the man he had grown up and fallen in love with. But nowadays, Ryder only has two things in that make him happy: his daughter, and his poker-playing. One night, he comes home to find his daughter dead. Then the loan sharks come knocking.
Back to square one…
Salvatore Lewis has spent the last six years running his late parents’ ranch in Tryon, North Carolina. Between work on the ranch and helping his brother recover from an accident, Sal has almost gotten his old boyfriend out of his head. So, the last thing he needs is Ryder strolling back into his life. Sal tries to stay away, he really does. But the magnetism between the two men is undeniable.
Danger closes in…
Within a month, Ryder’s taking care of Sal’s horses, and the ranch-owner can’t believe they’re getting a second shot at happiness together. But there’s more to Ryder’s sudden return than he’s letting on. As Ryder and Sal’s relationship blossoms, Ryder’s past in New York comes back to demand more than he has to give. Will Ryder be able to protect his new life from the threat that destroyed his old one?
Review: Salvatore ‘Sal’ Lewis and Ryder Christensen thought they had a love for all time, but Ryder’s choices brought the relationship to an end. He made the honorable decision to take care of his daughter, and moved to New York City. He had a great job, but he has an addiction to gambling and got caught up with a loan shark. The tragedy that befalls his young daughter leaves Ryder with nothing. Seven years later, Ryder returns to his parents’ farm in Tryon, North Carolina, where he reconnects with old friends—and Sal. Even moving home, though, Ryder finds himself being threatened by the loan shark, Boss. He’s paid his dues and is trying to fight the Boss by himself and the danger, and chaos begins.
Sal works hard to keep his family ranch going, helping his grandparents and younger brother, Jason. Jason helps as much as he can with the horses, but he suffers from seizures from an equestrian accident. Sal has watched Jason go from bad days, when he needs a wheelchair, to good days where he can do without. Jason also has a steady companion in Petey, who’s with him at all times in case he has a seizure. Jason also is hiding a secret from Sal.
Lucky Cowboy is my first time reading Liz Borino, and I have to say she didn’t disappoint. This novel is very well written and touches on subjects such as asexuality and medicinal cannabis. I really liked the relationship she created between Sal and Ryder; their chemistry is not over done, and there’s honesty and understanding between them. Even Sal and Jason’s relationship has some tense moments, but they always bring the brotherly love and talk things out.
This plot was filled with suspense, danger, mystery, humor, and the usual suspects. There are great secondary characters, in Jason especially, as well as Ryder’s parents and Sal’s grandparents and, of course, Elle and Petey. This is a great start to a new series, with solid potential to move on with these entertaining characters. I liked how this novel ended, and all I can say is bring on the sequel!
You can buy Lucky Cowboy here:
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