Dalton: An inspirational romance (Cotton Tree Ranch Book 1)

The second book in the contemporary Cowboys and Debutantes series will read as a standalone, and these books will read ok out of order. When Grandpa Joe passed away, he had many upstart businesses in various states. He will leave these to various grandchildren, but in the will had a codicil of stipulations. The grandchild or grandchildren must work that business for one full year and make it succeed, or it would revert to Nana Dixie.Dalton Williams has spent several years on the rodeo circuit bronc riding, and when he has a wonderful eight-second ride, it will change in a blink of the eye with the horse slamming him into the wall, fracturing his leg in two places and end his rodeo career. Just as he is coming to terms with this, he is handed the Cotton Tree Ranch in South Georgia. The ranch has been poorly managed and will take lots of work, but does have horses, a house, barns, and some equipment. Now his new plan is to raise and breed stock horses.Third chair violinist, Hazel Hildebrand, with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, has ended the season and now has some down time. Her best friend and house mate, Jen, is a vet and works on a horse ranch. She has an emergency medical issue and begs Hazel to accompany a horse to a ranch for breeding. Just a quick trip there, overnight stay, and back. Easy-peasy, or maybe not. And that is our set up for this tale.The plot will have Hazel agreeing reluctantly to accompany a mare, Contessa's Charity, to a breeding ranch and then pretends to be the vet. Dalton Williams is shocked when Hazel arrives dressed inappropriately in designer clothing and Jimmy Choos heels.The city slicker lady will meet her hayseed cowboy. Two people, just trying to do a job, but brought together in unusual circumstances, find themselves dealing with weather issues, unexpected situations, and developing a physical attraction. A phone call confirms Dalton's suspensions, but he doesn't reveal what he learns. While Hazel never confirms or denies her status, her lack abilities tell the truth.What happens when life takes a new twist, and Hazel is offered a first chair position? She must decide if she is fulfilling her dream, or is it the one her parents have made for her? Dalton enlist the aid of his two younger brothers with the ranch, and together, the three of them make progress, but what about money? With several months left before the years time frame, will he be able to keep Cotton Tree, or lose it?This is a clean, contemporary story that has secrets, some deceit, loyal friends, faithful family, lots of horses, and new beginnings. Life doesn't always proceed as we plan, but sometimes, those forks in the road take us on a scenic route that will lead to a new future.

The oldest brother inherits the family horse ranch and decides to make a go of it but life gets complicated when Hazel shows up. Except she's supposed to be Jen. Tornados, love triangles and the rigors of running a ranch and restoring the rundown property keep the narrative flowing in this modern-day cowboy story. Making things really yummy, I got to listen (audio!) to Dawson McBride's smooth, rich, gravelly voice caressing the words. Of course you want to read (or, better yet, listen to) this wonderful story!

This review is written after listening to the audio version of this book although I did purchase the ebook.I so enjoyed listening to this sweet love story. I loved the way Vivi Holt painted pictures in my mind with her words, I could see the pasture and feel the heat. I had no expectations at the start of this book, not having listened to or even read much of Vivi Holt's work, I only discovered her books very recently. But from the very beginning with the dramatic start to this book to the very end I found myself resenting when I had to stop listening.The two main characters, Hazel and Dalton, are total opposites at the start of the book, she being a total City Girl and he a Country Boy when they meet they both make assumptions, which prove to be wrong, about each other. Hazel is at Dalton's Cottontree Horse Ranch under false pretenses. He thinks she's a vet who is there to keep an eye on a valuable mare but the vet in question is Hazel's best friend who has just had surgery.As they spend time together they begin to see beyond the surface and when nature throws them a curve ball they are brought closer together and deeper feelings develop. But can a relationship which started out as a lie grow into something more? Can Hazel give up everything she has worked for, would she even consider it, to be with Dalton?In the book, we also get to meet Dalton's two brothers when they come to help out at the ranch. Each of them, I feel, has a story to tell and maybe Vivi will write one for them. We also find out what drives both Hazel and Dalton. I really wanted this relationship to work and was so happy with the way everything worked out.The book is narrated by Dawson McBride and I admit at the very start I thought his voice a little gruff but as the story progressed I enjoyed the way he narrated and the depth of feeling he put into the characters.I was given this audiobook as a gift and this review is written voluntarily.

I enjoyed reading this light, clean, Christian oriented contemporary romance set in Georgia. As is any novel by Vivi Holt, Dalton is a well-written story featuring believable and (mostly) likeable characters.Under false pretenses, a big city violinist meets a former bronc rider turned rancher. After a rocky start, a mutual attraction develops. Given the differences in their lifestyles, does this relationship have a future?Dalton is a wonderful character; however, I didn’t like Hazel at first (thought she was a snob), but I did like her by the end of the novel. I really like the character of Jan, despite thinking that she doesn’t fit my idea of a veterinarian who specializes in treating large animals. I guess I have a mental image of veterinarians as being totally level-headed individuals. Jan seems just a tad bit too ditzy to be a member of that profession.

Wonderful story. I loved it from beginning to end. Dalton and Hazel were definitely made for each other. When Dalton begins to think he will lose his inheritance Hazel t thinks out of the box and gives a suggestion to him which works out great. Dalton loves the idea. Highly recommend this contemporary clean romance for all readers. I give this book 5 stars even though my Line will not cooperate with me to allow me to do that.Joycejones@eastex

Short, sweet and nicely meandering romance. I always enjoy the family camaraderie and the story flowed well with no angst or upheavals just a gentle romance.

I loved Dalton! With endearing, realistic and distinctive characters, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Vivi Holt's story writing skills are brilliant and I raced to see how the story ended. I can't wait to read stories about the brothers...

I enjoy Vivi's historic westerns, this is contemporary but still works well.Recommended

Wonderful book I enjoyed reading this book.Dalton was a poor boy growing up. He studied hard went out west and opened a bank. He sends for a Mail Order bride and when she arrives she does know how to do household chores. She meets some of the towns women in a bible study and makes great friends. They teach her how to do everyday things.

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was very well developed and the characters were awesome. I highly recommend this author and this book.