"warm welcome to a fabulous new series"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted December 12, 2014
Western | Romance Contemporary
There are times when you realize how much brilliance it
takes to create a story that captures your attention,
rich with details and holds fast to the very last page.
And then as you approach the last paragraph you have to
face the fact that the adventure is over. HOW TO HANDLE A
COWBOY is book one in Joanne Kennedy's series The
Cowboys
of Decker Ranch. All I can say is -- thank goodness --
I
want more.
I have reviewed some of the best by the best cowboy
romance authors and have to add Kennedy to that list.
HOW TO HANDLE A COWBOY is an insightful look into the
effects physical and emotional on children who are abused
by the very folks that are supposed to protect and love
them. When there are no options left -- when the home
environment has become toxic -- these kids go into the
foster system. Joanne Kennedy provides a unique look into
the many levels of this system and the impact fostering
has on children and the issues that carry over into
adulthood.
Sierra Dunn is the caretaker of a new group home located
in an old orphanage in Wynott Wyoming. Her small group of
charges, five ten year old boys, need her in too many
ways to list. But one of the most important is protection
-- these kids are still in harm's way. As a former police
officer Sierra is well equipped to defend but it is her
knowledge of the foster system that makes her well suited
for this position. This is an important step for her
career which she sees as much larger than head mistress
for this small group home. She has plans to make a bigger
contribution to kids in trouble.
These five boys need her now but Sierra is diligent about
maintaining a professional distance. Caring too much is
not an option when this position is temporary. But that
is becoming difficult -- these kids are definitely getting
to her big time.
As part of the program to reach out Sierra's boss makes
arrangements with a local rancher. Ridge is no ordinary
rancher. He was fostered and after many false starts he
got lucky. Irene and Bill were there with open arms for
Ridge and his two brothers. Now back at the ranch after
years on the rodeo circuit they have a chance to give
back.
These kids have no direction -- no foreseeable future,
they are busy just trying to survive. Sierra and Ridge
are an amazing couple that through compassion and love
could give this group direction and hope -- make some
dreams come true for kids whose lives were nightmares.
These kids learn valuable lessons. More can be
accomplished with a gentle hand for everyone on Decker
Ranch and indeed the town of Wynott.
This is a story about being broken and through love, care
and understanding getting healed. We are not talking
about perfection -- our goal is lofty -- normal and loved.
Fabulous -- be prepared to be swept away by this absorbing
heartwarming and compassionate story starring very unique
cast of characters that includes a town that has love for
all living things. Joanne Kennedy's sassy clever dialog
will at times have you laugh out loud and at other times
feel the angst of her well developed characters. I am a
difficult reader/reviewer to impress -- Kennedy definitely
impressed me with HOW TO HANDLE A COWBOY. I can't wait
for the next in this series.
SUMMARY
It takes a village to raise a child – and a cowboy
to open a woman's heart. Rodeo cowboy
Ridge Cooper has always had one goal in life: stay in the
saddle for eight seconds. Now, sidelined by a career-
ending
injury, he's trapped at his family's ranch outside Wynott,
Wyoming with nothing to do. But when he volunteers to
teach
foster kids to ride, he finds a new purpose in life-one
that
matters far more than buckles and babes. For
social
worker Sierra Dunn, a job managing a group home in the
tiny
town of Wynott, Wyoming is just a quick stop along the way
to changing the world. But try as she might, she can't
help
getting attached to the ten-year-old boys in her care. The
five little refugees from abusive homes steal her heart,
but
there's plenty left over for local rodeo legend Ridge
Cooper. Sierra tells herself it's time to move on,
but the town's sense of community and the homey atmosphere
at the ranch tug at the heartstrings of this street-smart
city girl. And when one of the boys is in danger, she
learns
that with the help of a faithful cowboy, she can change
the
world one child at a time.
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