CAROLYN BROWN'S ***COWBOY BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS (COWBOY NOT INCLUDED)***

The one thing you all must know before reading a Carolyn Brown book is that her stories will leave you in an innate state of euphoria. I am always left with a smile and a sense of satisfaction when I have finished with a Carolyn Brown book. This one in particular has me asking a few times "Oh, did that really just happen?", and that is a very good thing. 

Retired Army sniper, Finn O'Donnell hangs up his dog-tags and puts on a cowboy hat when his second tour in Afghanistan is over. Finn buys a ranch in Burnt Boot, Texas and attempts to begin a new life, but those memories from his tour of duty keep him awake at night and impede his moving on. Since moving to the Salt Draw Ranch with his dog, Shotgun, he's been plagued with the FBI and CIA asking for his help, but Finn wants no part of it. When a few very government looking vehicles appear on his ranch, Finn is prepared to send them on their way until he sees a sight for sore eyes, his BFF, Callie Brewster.

When Callie Brewster appears on Finn's ranch with a young nephew in tow, asking for refuge instead of going into the witness protection program after her nephew witnesses a murder, Finn happily takes her in with the young'un. Callie promises to take care of the house, while Finn takes care of the land, but now that they aren't in the military can this former sniper and his spotter keep is platonic. Most importantly, do they want to keep it that way. Oh come on, you know the answer to that question.

Once Callie and her nephew Martin are all tucked away at the ranch, the fun begins when they become intimately acquainted with the very interesting inhabitants of Burnt Boot and a Hatfield and McCoys type feud going on between the town's well to do Gallagher and Brennan families.  When two ladies, from the opposing families set their eyes on Finn, and I use the tern LADIES loosely because Betsy and Honey are NO ladies, Callie brings it on. FYI, you are going to love this. 

In addition to all this going on, the former owner of the Salt Draw Ranch, Verdie, who now lives in an adult community, is lonely and misses her hometown and her friends. So this hurricane of a lady comes to the Salt Draw for an extended visit. Verdie is a force to be reckoned with and with her presence back on the ranch and in Burnt Boot, the fun really begins. She quickly takes over the kitchen like the old pro she is and worms her way into the hearts of all involved all while secretly conspiring to throw Callie and Finn together. Lord, I love this spunky lady.

With so much insanity going on around Callie and Finn, it's a wonder that the two who have been yearning for one another's company for so long, get a chance to even be alone with one another for five minutes, much less steal a kiss or two... or maybe three. With the Christmas season in full swing, the Christmas spirit takes a firm hold on the Salt Draw and its inhabitants, and the menagerie of  unusual people surrounding them, makes this one sleigh ride that can't be missed. 

One word for COWBOY BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS (Cowboy Not Included) by Carolyn Brown, INSPIRING... Ok I have more words actually. As in every single one of Miz Brown's books, I come away with sheer elation. happiness and satisfaction. Finn, Callie, Verdie and the rest of the Burnt Boot residents each have their own little quirks, faults and reasons to fall in love with them. Carolyn Brown expertly weaves her tale of the budding romance swiftly growing in the midst of an insane family feud. Trust me, it all fits! I love how I felt like I was part of the insanity and ,in fact, quite happy to be there. I most favorably recommend COWBOY BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS (Cowboy Not Included) by Carolyn Brown and I hope you love it as much as I have.

~KIMBERLY~