What I like about Joanne Kennedy's Cowboy Trouble...

What I like about you….’re book Joanne Kennedy is pretty much all of it.


Cowboy Trouble brings the reader to the new west. From early on, I felt the dust in my hair and could feel the dry intensity of the Wyoming sun. Kennedy’s description of the lazy town of Lackaduck sets the tone for the heroine to experience her first independent adventure as an investigative reporter.

I love that Kennedy created main and minor characters that had strengths but also realistic flaws. Without giving away the entwined mystery of the story, it was fun to follow the quirky antics of a young woman determined to forge her way into the world as an independent modern day chicken rancher. That unto itself is funny. To me. And, to the real ranchers in her story. I wonder if there are actual chicken ranchers in Wyoming? I know that here in the northeast, there’s a chicken farm with a large sign out front that says, “45,000 employees” meaning…of course, the chickens. I’m thinking of becoming a vegetarian thanks to personifying the little fellas. Maybe it’s a chicken thing, but the chicken theme really ads to the story! There’s humor laced throughout, giving this serious subject of solving an old missing person with real life practical thinking on the parts of so many of the characters.

The steadfast quintessential cowboy-next-door pulled me into thinking that I wouldn’t mind meeting him. I liked that he wasn’t THE best looking or successful, but he was lovable, steadfast and true to his family. It represents the Midwest as it’s known with integrity and a stubborn determinism. We’re not sure throughout the story if Luke is in fact as honest and forthright as he seems, but it’s fun to feel Libby’s doubt as she canters (horse term. Pun intended) around, trying to decide her hormones and her new life herding chickens…and puppies.

The writing is fun and funny. Joanne’s smart humor was evident in such snappy thought provoking banter as page 213, paragraph 11 (what? You didn’t think I’d give away a twist did you?). Or, how about, “Cuddling was gateway sex.” Classic, and memorable.

The trouble for cowboys? There aren’t enough good women. After reading this fun ride of a first novel, the fairer sex may just start traveling to where the deer and the antelope play.

Cowboy Trouble showcases down-to-earth people and a pragmatic mystery to boot. The teaser for One Fine Cowboy at the end did leave me a little frustrated for one reason. It’s not coming out until April 2011! Damn it.

I never read western’s but JK’s debut novel has me thinking about chaps & Stetson’s and not the Dallas kind. The characters in the next novel are already aligned with a consistently snarky ride (thanks for the word Sheila Roberts!)…..throughout the love lives of a Wyoming summer.

I look forward to reading more from this author with the security that she “gets” human personality from every angle. Not everyone is as they seem at first. Ain’t that the truth! And Joanne Kennedy nails this human quality. This book has a 2 thumbs up good juju romance with more to look forward to.

Happy Reading
Karen