THE LAST REAL COWBOY from author Donna Alward is a April 2012 release from Mills & Boon Cherish and Harlequin Romance.

Angela Beck just needed moral support from Sam Diamond for her charity foundation after his mother couldn’t come due to illness. His mother was a board member but now that Sam’s dad had suffered a stroke she stayed away to nurse him.

Angela wanted Sam to show support for the project to highlight its importance to other influential people in the town. It was personal to her that her project, Butterfly House, a special women’s shelter for victims of abuse, is set up and starts operating fast. Why was an abused victim’s shelter important to Angela? Who was she waiting for to come knocking for help?

Sam Diamond had too much to do as it was with his dad sick, and he didn’t have time to sit on the foundation’s board. All he had time for is to write a check and be done with it. But meeting Angela, sparks flew. And Sam found he just couldn’t walk away after just writing the checks! Angela had been rude and prickly with Sam so when had he decided he wanted to have more to do with Angela? And why was Angela keeping away from him?

I found THE LAST REAL COWBOY to be an engrossing and an enthralling story. Angela, though hurt and still coming to terms with her childhood issues is a wonderful heroine, I very much admired. And Sam is a gorgeous hero whose strength, sensitivity and magnetism made me love him. He challenged Angela’s emotions and her priorities and made her fall for him despite her misgivings. Author Donna Alward has skillfully penned another heartwarming story which had a bit of thrill and danger as well! ( )

Name: The Last Real Cowboy
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Author: Donna Alward
Publication Date: 5/1/2012
Received Date: 3/18/2012
Completed Date: 3/27/2012
Reviewed by: Kathy Brandt

I was really surprised that this book was 376 pages long, however we were given a gift of two stories in this book.

The first story is called "The Last Real Cowboy." Sam Diamond is used to getting his own way, but is very bored with any of the women he dates. In fact, he has gotten a pretty bad reputation from one gal in particular. Angela Beck moves into town and wants to open a home for battered women called the "Butterfly House." Sam's mother is on the committee and is a main contributor to the cause. However, Sam's father has a stroke and his mom cannot continue her committment to the cause, so in steps Sam. Sam and Angela don't seem to agree on much with the home so Angela challenges him. Will Sam take the challenge? Will Sam have a change of heart? What is Angela hiding? I can't wait to read the second in the series of this book, "The Rebel Rancher," with Sams cousin Ty.

The second story is called "The Rancher's Runaway Princess." Lucy loves horses and is very knowledgeable about them. She has recently lost her mom and learns about her read dad...what a shock! Lucy doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere and wants to escape. She finds a way to do that by going on a venture to purchase some horses. Mr. Hamilton is the ranch owner, but not as old as Lucy expects him to be. What is Mr. Hamilton hiding? When he calls Lucy "princess" does he know something about her? Something she is not willing to share!

I received this book free from the publisher for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. These opinions about this book are my own. ( )