They had a foolproof plan…until one little girl got involved.

Sammi Jo Burkitt’s formidable grandmother’s will is pushing Sammi Jo to the brink. Yes, the feisty cowgirl can keep the ranching empire known as Aces High, which has been the family birthright for two centuries, but she must marry her rival and stay married for three years as part of the deal. Say no, and Aces High goes on the auction block.

Beaudry Hawkes wants nothing to do with the high and mighty Burkitts. Until the day Sammi Jo shows up on his doorstep with a proposition no one in their right mind would refuse: wear her ring, then accept thousands of acres of rich ranch land and a tidy sum of three million dollars when they part ways. The windfall could change everything for his daughter’s future.

But eight-year-old Lacy is becoming attached to the idea of one happy family. Nothing short of a true marriage between the two can make her dreams come true. Can Sammi Jo and Beaudry find their freedom and love too?

Titles in the Texas Heritage series include — The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal —♥— The Texas Cowboy’s Lady —♥— The Texas Cowboy’s Rescue —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

 

Title:  The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal
Series:  Texas Heritage #1
Author:  Debra Holt
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  September 1, 2022
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and sigh at the antics of family, especially deceased family.  Sammi Jo is doing more than shaking her head, she is seething mad at her grandmother’s declaration in her will that in order to keep the family ranch, Aces High, Sammi Jo must marry not only her rival, Beaudry, but remain married for three long years or she loses everything.  Thanks, Gram!  So begins The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal, the beginning of the Texas Heritage series with a complicated romance that starts off with a demand and eventually leads to real love… but it’s going to be a bumpy road to get to that eventual happily ever after for Beau and Sammi Jo.

The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal is full of everything I enjoy, especially from this author — strong, believable characters, a well-written story that engages emotions galore, a challenge to overcome, and a couple that has a second chance to rewrite their history into a happy ending for them and Beau’s daughter, Lacy.  What is not to love about all of that?  The real star of this story is Lacy, an adorable little girl who just wants a family and in spite of the tensions between Sammi Jo and Beau, this little one’s happiness is heavy on their minds and their hearts in this decision of agreeing to a marriage of convenience, temporary at most and what that will do to them all in the end.  It’s a risk and choices as well as mistakes will be made by both Beau and Sammi Jo along the way.

Their romance is a strong beginning to a series that has my attention for all the right reasons.  No one is perfect, as Sammi Jo and Beau learn, but they can still be perfect for each other with some give and take and understanding on both sides.  I enjoyed this couple, adored Lacy, and was intrigued by a grandmother who wields such power from beyond the grave and can’t wait to continue this series with The Texas Cowboy’s Lady (which I’m already deep into).

If you love a solid romance with characters who are flawed but realistic, a bit of pulling of the strings from a deceased family member, and watching two people fall in love for real… then The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal is a perfect match for you.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

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