Cowboys and Kisses by Karin Kallmaker is a beautiful, well-written and poignant historical romance.
Rejected by her family, a young girl is sent west without money or any means to return home. She’s alone in the world, without the support of a husband or a kind-hearted family willing to take her in—so she takes up the only job available to her because she will do whatever it takes to survive. A few years later, she meets a cowboy who is so easy to love and she finally gets her first taste of true satisfaction.
But there’s just one problem… Cowboys never stay in one place for long and their kisses are as short-lived as the lives of desperate young women who are doing their best to fend for themselves in a cruel and unjust world. Darlin’ has already come to terms with the fact that her life may come to an end sooner rather than later, so her writing becomes a safe haven and a beacon of hope for her uncertain future.
Everything seems hopeless until she sees her deepest desires reflected in the longing gaze of a townswoman.
Writing and Story
Sheena: For such a short listen it certainly packed a punch. Kallmaker’s use of language and the way she builds day-to-day events into a compelling narrative is remarkable. Kallmaker is one of those authors who makes it look easy to tell complicated stories with deep emotions. A testament to her skill.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
April: I’m here to binge read all the awesome and heart-tugging stories that Karin Kallmaker brings to life. Cowboys and Kisses snagged my attention from the first paragraph and it was really hard for me to put my kindle down and be a responsible adult. This story is so much more than a historical romance because it portrays the harsh realities of life for women on the frontier who didn’t have any money or family to protect them and it also shows that passionate interludes can set someone’s heart on fire but love is the only thing that will keep the blaze going. I have so much love for Darlin’ and Violet and I really wanted to go through my kindle so that I could give them lots of warm and comforting hugs. Plus, I wished this story was longer because I wanted to spend more time with them.
Sheena: I absolutely agree. This story gives a look into life that is probably far more realistic but a lot harsher and yet we still get a happy ending. And the ending seems all that sweater because the story portrays such struggles.
Cons And Heads Up
April: There are graphic descriptions of death, abortion and sexual exploitation of under-aged girls.
Sheena: All of what April said, plus this is a harrowing read emotionally. At one point I was convinced that there was no way out for Darlin’ and I had to stop listening for a couple of days. When I returned I was certain that it would have a grim conclusion but Kallmaker came through for us with an ending that made me way happier than I thought it would.
Narration
Sheena: Ann Shanks Etter did a great job with a story that must have been challenging to narrate. The story is told in the first person and Etter had to portray a young woman who has seen far more in her short life than she should have, yet she still had the enthusiasm of youth, the will and longing of a storyteller and the sad reality that she could not love who she was so desperate to love.
The story had incredible longing woven through it and Etter managed that in spades. The emotions flowed through the narration as clearly as if Etter was the girl telling me her story.
The Conclusion
April: If you’ve been searching for a touching and steamy historical romance with fully fleshed out characters, then look no further because this is the perfect story for you!
Sheena: The audiobook is short but does what every good story should do – makes the listener feel. I felt every word and there were points when I was wrung out emotionally – this is not an easy story. But when it came to the end and concluded I felt happy and a little hopeful. Maybe love does win after all.
Excerpt from Cowboys and Kisses by Karin Kallmaker
The door blew open again and I looked up, too wary to actually hope for a decent enough local man, like Jinny’s regular. This cowboy was on the small side, saddlebags and coiled whip slung over one shoulder, very dirty, but as full of bravado as the lot of them. Along with a gust of dust the air was now laden with the strong stink of horse and cow.
A few of those swaggering steps inside the parlor, however, and I knew that I wanted that dark gaze to seek out mine. But like so many, it turned instead to the yellow curls and voluptuous promise that Angel offered as she leaned over the piano.
Otis didn’t know Chopin from Mozart, but I could hum a little of something and he’d pick it up right away and make it a tune of his own. I sometimes wished I remembered more from the family years to add to his repertoire. Mostly he played campfire tunes and church music everyone knew, at a joyful pace that added to the sparkle of the lamplight. Just then the tune was sweet, as sweet as Angel’s welcoming expression.
The new cowboy came to a stop mid-room. A glance at Cherry, who nodded permission, brought an easy nod in return. Otis stopped playing as the cowboy took two steps nearer to Angel.
With a charming half-bow, the cowboy gestured at Otis but never stopped looking at Angel, who was smiling back an anticipatory yes. The girl hadn’t a brain in her head, and likely didn’t know what I—and Cherry no doubt—had figured out at the cowboy’s first step.
“Please,” the cowboy said to Otis, in a voice thickened by trail dust. ‘“If music be the food of love…”’
Angel simpered. Otis looked confused.
My needlework tight in my hands, I said smoothly, ‘“If music be the food of love, play on.”’
The cowboy swung round to face me.
Dark eyes studied me, and I returned the favor with my own intensity as I added, “Duke Orsino, Twelfth Night, act one, scene one, line one.”
“This girl,” the cowboy said to Cherry, pointing at me. In a voice softened by anticipation, she added, “For the night.”
I rose with all the grace I could muster and took her upstairs.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781202202876
Publisher: Romance and Chocolate Ink
Narrator: Ann Shanks Etter
Audiobook Length: 4 hours and 31 minutes
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