Captive Cowboy

Captured Hearts Series, Book 2

By: Lindsey Brookes

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

All work and no play just like his father had done leaves Brandon Barnes, the 'Ogre of Lone Tree', on the outside looking in when it comes to those around him. A man whose trust has been broken, leaving his heart guarded.

Megan McKinney, determined to put her painful past behind her, ends up stranded in Lone Tree, Montana. Love is the last things she's looking for, but she soon finds herself falling for the gruff, unsmiling cowboy who rescued her. Now it's her turn to rescue Brandon from himself. So she sets out to teach him that life is meant to be enjoyed, not just lived. And that sometimes true happiness is only a smile away.

©2015 Lindsey Brookes (P)2017 Lindsey Brookes

Sweet love story and great narrator.

This is really a good serious, sweet and light. Refreshing read. The narrator did a wonderful job.

Really good story- very enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I don't want this short little series to be over. Don't they have a long lost brother? Maybe? Heck, I'll even take a cousin. Or, Riley.

This is the second book by Lindsey Brookes that I have listened to and it was another fun, entertaining and very enjoyable listen. Just as with the first book in the series this one is also well written, flows smoothly, has an engaging storyline, is full of humor, a little steamy romance and great characters all without too much angst and drama.

Technically you could listen to this book as a standalone but I would start with the first book in the series just for the pure enjoyment of it.

Once again the story has a great cast of characters. Both old and new. Even though Brandon has been branded " The Ogre of Lone Tree" he is an immediately likable character. That hard outer shell of his had cracks in it at the end of the first book. Megan is also immediately likable although it did take a bit more time (not long) to completely warm up to her. Riley was also likable with all his big brother overprotectiveness. Digger was a character in class all by himself and lovable from the start. I really enjoyed that Dalton and Caitlin were part of this story as well.

Brandon and Megan have both burned by people they trusted in the past. This makes them both very cautious and wary of relationships. Even though the attraction is there they are both a little skittish. They will both have to take a chance.

Kaleo Griffith does a great job with the narration once again. His voice just pull you into a story and makes it come to life. He has one of those voices that you can listen to for hours on end. His narration is clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices. Both male and female. Perfect tone and delivery of the humor. It's always a pleasure listening to a story he narrates.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

A SWEET AND SWOONY WESTERN ROMANCE!

Would you consider the audio edition of Captive Cowboy to be better than the print version?

Yes.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the tenderhearted whirlwind romance that blossomed between Brandon and Megan.

Which character – as performed by Kaleo Griffith – was your favorite?

Brandon of course!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, it was the first consummation scene when Brandon lovingly and reverently kissed all of Megan's scars and reassured her how flawless and desirable she was in his eyes. What a beautiful and poignant moment!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely adored this sweet and swoony western-themed romance!

CAPTIVE COWBOY by Lindsey Brookes follows the trials and tribulations of a beleaguered young woman, Megan McKinney, who ends up stranded in Lone Tree, Montana enroute to her new life in Casper. After her car breaks down in a storm and she injures herself she gets taken in by broody landowner Brandon Barnes when he finds her passed out on his property! What starts as a reluctant arrangement just long enough for Megan to recuperate from her concussion and get the parts needed to repair her car, blossoms into a tender hearted romance that catches them both off guard! But can this “mulish, unsmiling” bachelor and the emotionally insecure woman of his dreams overcome long buried hurts from their pasts and take the ULTIMATE risk on love?

This is my first book by Lindsey Brookes but most certainly won’t be my last. She has a vibrant and engaging writing style and a gift for writing character driven stories filled with heart, heat and humor! Although this is the second book in the CAPTURED HEARTS duet it can be read as a standalone. This whirlwind romance was chock full of timeless western charm, delightful banter, heart fluttery feels and sweet sensuality! I was swept up instantly into this touching romance and loved the themes of acceptance, second chances, healing past hurts and the bonds of friendship and family.

A gruff, grim-faced Brandon, unfairly dubbed the “Ogre of Lone Tree” has been avoiding emotional entanglements due to being burnt in the past and up till now work has been the driving force in his life. Until sweet, spirited Megan bursts into his world and makes him see all that he's been missing. But the sweet natured artist is skittish as well due to a tumultuous past and harbors feelings of inadequacy stemming from a difficult upbringing and a life altering accident that left her physically and emotionally scarred. But the strappingly handsome, chivalrous Brandon makes her feel beautiful, inside and out--flaws and all--and together they breathe life into each other worlds and discover that dreams can in fact come true!

There was plenty of angst, romance and drama throughout to keep me captivated and of course the story culminated with a sigh worthy HEA that gave me giddy feels! I also thoroughly enjoyed the delightful supporting characters, especially Brandon’s ornery brother Dalton and sassy fiancée Caitlin (featured in KIDNAPPED COWBOY), as well as Megan’s fiercely overprotective bro Riley. They were woven perfectly into the plotline and infused the book with wit, humor, warmth and buoyancy! (Oh and note to author…the ALPHALICIOUS Riley needs his own book pronto!! He was quite the scene stealer!)

This was an audio listen for me and OMG…what a DELICIOUS narration it was! This was not only my first book by Ms. Brookes but my first narration by the incredibly talented Kaleo Griffith and I wonder where the heck has he been all my life?! He was the PERFECT narrator for this book….His deep, husky western twang gave me goosebumps and he emotes so beautifully that he pulls you so effortlessly into the story! I adored his raspy depiction of the ruggedly sexy Brandon, and enjoyed the versatility of his voices too. He shifted seamlessly between the male and female narrations and not only did a great job with the dialogue but I also relished his delivery of the hero’s witty internal thoughts. This is a narrator I will definitely be auto buying in the future!

I was provided with review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily written this review.

It was a little too sweet for me.

The story started out great and I was excited to read it. I enjoyed the first book and loved that Kaleo Griffith was narrating the second book as well.
Brandon and Megan definitely had a spark but I felt it ignited into love way too soon. It ignited into a few sappy cheesy scenes that had me cringing.
Overall though, a nice HEA.

Can Megan change all work and no play?

Brandon Barnes, a workaholic businessman stumbles on Megan McKinney unconscious in his yard. Now with a start like that, you know this book is going to be good! These two characters are so likeable, you want begin to root for them even before their first kiss. Both Megan and Brandon come together with their own set of baggage, that we get to know and hate. The question lies though, will they be able to sort through it all to find their happily ever after? Having Dalton and Kaitlyn in this book, as well as Megan's brother Riley gives the story a lot of home and good friends feeling. The relationships between Megan with Riley and Megan with Kaitlyn are key, almost feeling like Kaitlyn is the glue to the whole family with her no nonsense advice and help right from the first day! But my favorite character is Digger..that shoe stealing, hole digging dog is just show stopping and his relationship with Brandon was so heart warming.

Kaleo Griffith needs no praise, the man can read the phone book and make it sound sexy. He gives life to Brandon, letting you feel the compassion and passion as well as having a very good array of character voices for the rest of the cast. Very enjoyable listen.

I loved it!!!

The author and narrator were new to me with this book. It is a standalone listen that commands me to listen to more by both the author and narrator. I really enjoyed this story of how a detour can change everything. The book has some humor and unexpected twists, no big drama, and some great characters. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I was provided with this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written this review.

interesting

I love HEA's. Nice cowboy story. KInd of slow but sweet. A slow amd interesting climax.

Thumbs way down for story, thumbs up for Kaleo

When I saw Kaleo Griffith had a new narration out, I jumped at it. I assumed if he'd signed on as the narrator, this new-to-me author had to be stellar. Wrong. Very shallow, predictable plot. Boring mediocre characters. I stuck it out, hoping for some plot twist, something more. Nope. Not worth a credit and certainly not worth my time.

High hopes dashed!

Never having read a book by this author and after reading the books preview I was happily looking forward to a fun cowboy romance, and what looked like a good story by someone new! Sadly my hopes were dashed as I started reading the old cliche storyline with a wimpy heroine and although a decent hero the whole book was just misunderstandings and the characters not being able to be honest with other! The same old format as thousands of other romance novels! So I'm still looking for my new"go to" author, sadly it won't be Ms. Brookes!