The Cowboy Takes a Bride

Author: Lori Wilde
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0062047755
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
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Ex-champion bull rider-turned-cutting-horse cowboy Joe Daniels isn’t quite sure how he ended up sleeping in a horse trough wearing nothing but his Stetson and cowboy boots. But now he’s wide-awake, and a citified woman is glaring down at him. His goal? Get rid of her ASAP. The obstacle? Fighting the attraction he feels toward the blond-haired filly with the big, vulnerable eyes.

When out-of-work wedding planner Mariah Callahan learns that her estranged father has left her a rundown ranch in Jubilee, she has no choice but to accept it. Her goal? Redeem her career by planning local weddings. The obstacle? One emotionally wounded, hard-living cowboy who stirs her guilt, her heartstrings, and her long-burned cowgirl roots . . .

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REVIEW

Wedding Planner Mariah Callahan is down and out of luck. When she loses her prestige wedding planning job in Chicago, she struggles to find work but is immediately blacklisted by her former boss. When a strange man calls to inform her that her estranged father is dead and left her his property, she immediately heads to Jubilee, Texas where she finds a naked cowboy in a horse trough.

Joe Daniels doesn’t remember much about the night before but he is startled to wake up naked in horse trough with a woman who reminds him of his deceased wife. Once he learns her identity, he quickly plots to send her packing back to the city but every time he is near her, he can’t help fight the attraction.

Life in Jubilee is a far stretch from Chicago. The folks are friendly and idolized her father, a concept Mariah can’t fathom. To say that she and Dutch didn’t have the best relationship is an understatement. The guilt of not being able to understand his lifestyle and forgive him for leaving her family starts to play on Mariah. The handsome naked cowboy is not helping by constantly hovering around making her feel things  she doesn’t want to feel.

The story is funny. I liked the humor and sexual chemistry between Joe and Mariah. I found myself rooting for them but the small cheesy parts tore at me. First, I didn’t like the comparison of Mariah to Joe’s dead wife. It became a sore point for me in the story. Also, he seems to be a bit love struck and cynical. The author could have done a better job at showing Joe’s transformation and not telling us that he’s changed and in love with Maria.

The secondary story with Ila and Cordy felt forced and strange. Ila is Joe’s sister-in-law who has always loved him except he has never returned her feelings. Instead, Cordy has been trying to get Ila’s attention but with no success. Ila’s character is very unlikeable and the storyline does not explain it in great detail. I didn’t buy that she magically loved Cordy by the end.

The story is one that has been told before. The sweet romance and quirky humor makes for an entertaining read.

Rating: 4 (Very Good – Highly Recommend)

Heat-Level: 3 (Sensual)

Reviewed by Samantha

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4 Starscontemporary
By Avon Books, Giveaways, Reviews33 Comments on Review & Giveaway: The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Lori Wilde

33 Replies to “Review & Giveaway: The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Lori Wilde”

  1. Sounds really good, i already like Lori Wilde and i love a good book with a cowboy in it 🙂

  3. Great review! I love cowboy stories, and this sounds like a good one. For some reason I used to be fascinated with bull riding on television – watched it all the time. There’s just something about those daredevil riders trying to hang on to that huge animal. Looking forward to reading about Joe and Mariah.

  9. Naked cowboy in a trough, you got me there. Now I have to check this book out! Always nice to find a humerous book, thanks for writing this review and hooking my interest!

  10. Well your review wasn’t the best, but I do like Lori Wilde so I will still give it a try. Thanks for being honest. Thank you for doing the giveaway.

  13. This sounds very different from the other cowboy stories out there. Probably one that I’d really enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway!!

  15. I don’t know what could be better than a cowboy romance by Lori Wilde! I love Lori’s work. Thanks!

  16. Thanks for the review. Humor in a story is important. It can be fun, a tension breaker, or relieve the stress of a serious situation. This sounds like it will be an enjoyable way to spend a few spring or summer afternoons.

  18. I love cowboy story, rough and sweaty boy. He protects the innocent from the danger.

  19. I like chemistry and humor. Looking forward to reading Joe and Mariah’s love story! Sounds like Joe may take a few spills along the way.

  20. I’d read this for the pretty cover, before I even knew who wrote it or what it was about.

  21. Love the cover. Thanks for the review. Can’t wait to read this book. It sounds wonderful

  25. This sounds like a fun book. And I just love the name Mariah. Count me in, please.

  28. Great review Samantha! I love cowboy stories. Mariah and Joe’s love story sounds really good.

  32. Lori is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I have heard good things about this author, but have not read anything. This book looks awesome and love the cover.

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