Title: Spurs
Series: Cherry County Cowboys 01
Author: Jules Dixon
Genre: Contemporary, Western
Length: Novel (247 pages)
Publisher: Evernight Publishing (3 Nov 2015)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb: Dr. Grayson Taylor is convinced that a summer fling with the bartending cowboy is a quick remedy to mend his broken heart. Soon his plans to return to big city lights for a dream career don’t seem as attractive as the cowboy with dimples lying in his bed. When Grayson’s charred past reappears, can he learn that forgiveness costs less than pride and admit he is the one who needs to be healed?
Cowboy Izaac Scott drove into town with little more than boots on his feet, a well-loved baseball cap on his head and a cross-country journey on his mind, but he’s not sightseeing. He’s running from the ghost of a first love. Will the doctor be the one to help Izaac realize that true love can heal the past or will the cruel spurs of life jab him in the heart again?
This New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel twists and turns like a bull rider at the rodeo. Hold on for the ride!
ISBN: 978-1-77233-570-5
Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/spurs-by-jules-dixon/
Reviewer: Prime
Review: This was the first book I’ve read by Jules Dixon and I have to say that it was a pretty good introduction to a new author. There are plenty of hot cowboys– woo hoo, feel the heat rising! Though we also have a character who just got his PhD and obviously struggling to find work – that just hit too close to home for me, recently I have inadvertently picked books with guys getting or quitting their PhD and for someone who is almost finished their own doctoral thesis, it was just too close to home when it comes to knowing the character’s stress and pressure levels.
Dr Grayson Taylor (PhD) goes back to his hometown/family’s ranch so he can lick his wounds after getting his heart broken by a cheating ex. Lucky for him, the hot new local bar tender presents the perfect opportunity to try to start moving on. That bartender, Izaac Scott, also happens to be a cowboy and unbeknownst to the guys, the ranch where Izaac picked up some extra work happens to be Grayson’s family. Izaac is a bit of a drifter and has a history for not staying in the one place for too long, though he is also the sole carer for his younger sister.
These guys have a lot of baggage and a bulk of the story is watching these guys come to terms with their respective pasts so that they can actually have some sort of meaningful relationship. They are a bit awkward at first when it comes to actually forming something beyond the physical, but they work really well together.
Admittedly there a few errors within the text itself. The two that stuck in my mind as when a dislocated shoulder became a broken collarbone, and a character called Nate suddenly became Neil for a moment. Still, I’m willing over look this sort of silly error, though it is a pity that it was not picked up during editing. Additionally, Grayson’s attempts to use his woo-woo (well, psychology techniques I assume) seemed at first condescending, so I admit that at first although I felt for him I really didn’t connect with him, especially when it felt like he was forcing Izaac to open up about everything so soon in their relationship.
Overall, this was a fun read and I am looking forward to next book in the series.