The Heart of a Cowboy ~ Review

The Heart of a Cowboy

Colorado Cowboys #2

By Jody Hedlund

What can I say - but if you loved My Forever Cowboy you will love The Heart of a Cowboy, which follows Wyatt's younger brother Flynn McQuaid as he journeys to Colorado. 

First off Flynn has some major resentment issues concerning what he regards as Wyatt's abandonment of the family, leaving them at the mercy of their abusive, controlling step-father. But joining Wyatt is now the family's only hope of a first and staying together as a Civil War draws more into its conflict every day.

Flynn is moving cattle "beeves" along the trail to Colorado. He is determined to get Wyatt's stock to him as healthy, and with as few losses, as possible. But when he rescues a young woman from drowning in the Neosho River his trip got a whole lot more complicated. Like really, really complicated. 

Linnea Newberry is a botanist on a expedition with her grandfather, Dr. Howell and a team of scientists studying the plant life along the Santa Fe Trail. Linnea had an unconventional upbringing resulting in a young woman who is brilliant, a bit absent-minded, bold, sweet, friendly, and beautiful. And when Dr. Howell talks Flynn into guarding Linnea from herself and the dangers of the trail, he knows he's made a big mistake.

Having sworn off the idea of marriage after seeing all the suffering his mother went through with his step-father, Flynn knows he's in trouble because he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Linnea. Linnea is not at all what he's have expected from someone coming from money. And she's willing to help take his little sister Ivy in hand offering her a helping hand as she navigates life without a mother and only older brothers to look out for her. But each time Linnea finds herself in a new incident she fears that this will be the one that means she'll be sent home. And each time Flynn is there to rescue her.

I really liked this newest addition to Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowboys series. It is interesting to meet Wyatt's siblings and experience the trail to Colorado with them and through their eyes (mainly Flynn's). I have to say, though unconventional, Linnea was a needed addition to the story she was definitely a tempering influence of both Flynn and Ivy. Though she was also an agitant to Flynn as well. 

Fans of Jody Hedlund's historical romance fiction will have no complaints with this book. And if you haven't yet read the first book no problem as it is easy to read this book without the backstory the first provides. And when you've finished The Heart of a Cowboy you can always go back and read My Forever Cowboy. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

When he agreed to guard her, 

he never bargained on having to guard his heart.

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Howell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn't need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Howell promptly hires Flynn--unbeknownst to Linnea--to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all--falling for a woman he's determined not to love.