I saw a good idea on Twitter a few days ago.

Renee at It’s Book Talk started using the #ThrowbackThursday meme as a way to share books that are old favourites or have been waiting to be read for a long time.

I saw the idea first on a blog I read regularly: Between the Lines – Books ‘N’ Stuff and thought it was great.

For several years I wrote a book blog and accumulated thoughts on a wealth of really good reads.

So I decided to visit my old reviews and re-post my favourites here on 3sixtyfiveblog for #ThrowbackThursday.

I’m starting with An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns: one of the best examples of romantic fiction I’ve ever read.

Book description from Amazon

Jane Austen meets Zane Grey
The American West, 1867. After a stagecoach wreck, well-bred bookish spinster, Annie Haddon, (product of mustn’t-take-off-your-hat, mustn’t-take-off-your-gloves, mustn’t-get-hot-or-perspire Victorian society) is thrown into the company of cowboy, Colt McCall – a man who lives by his own rules and hates the English.
Can two people from such wildly different backgrounds learn to trust each other? Annie and McCall find out on their journey across the haunting , mystical landscape of the West.

My Review of An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy from Indie Bookworm

I’d noticed this book being promoted on Twitter but as I don’t regard myself as a reader of Westerns hadn’t looked at it until I was browsing in the Kindle Store and it popped up on the “other readers also read” list. I read part of the free sample and I’m glad I did as An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns is one of the best examples of romantic fiction I’ve ever read.

Each chapter of An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy is headed up with a quote from another book. I’ve been unable to find out whether or not this other book actually exists but if it doesn’t it should. Author June Kearns uses references from The Gentlewoman’s Guide To Good Travel by Margaret Mary Whittier to provide a marvellous structure for her novel.

The setting for An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy is the American West in 1867. The beauty of the landscape contrasts with the difficulties of living within it. Not only the heat but the periodic attacks by the dispossessed peoples of the region make life intolerable for unlikely heroine, Annie Haddon.

Annie is a well-bred, bookish, English spinster who is travelling with her stuffy aunt by stage coach across America. The aunt is Annie’s guardian and she epitomises all the repressed attitudes of the Victorian era. However, an unexpected stage coach wreck causes Annie to meet English-hating, rule-breaking, Colt McCall.

Was there ever such a hero? Heathcliff meets Rhett Butler! Colt is a wonderful romantic lead although the development of his and Annie’s relationship is far from conventional.

The supporting characters are many and varied reflecting the different aspects of society of the era and the complexity of the plot. The writing is so good that every character comes alive and makes a strong contribution to the overall story. The dialogue is excellent in An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy providing authenticity to the setting and ensuring the vivid development of the characters. The plot has more than enough complications to keep the story moving forwards at a good pace and, of course, there’s a very satisfactory ending in true romance style albeit with an unexpected twist.

I really enjoyed reading An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy and I recommend it highly not only to readers who enjoy romance but also to those who enjoy well written fiction whatever the genre.

What other readers say about An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy

Tanya Fisher –  Beautifully crafted characters and a fascinating story.

Marcia –  A must read – humourous, lively action, fast-paced. LOVED IT!!!

Lanky Lady –  A Right Rollicking Adventure

Jean Fullerton –  English decorum meets the Wild West

Paganyogini – Utterly delightful.

With 63 mainly five star reviews on Amazon and  91 four plus ratings on Goodreads, other readers  have loved this novel too.

If you’re stocking up your Kindle for summer holidays, An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy is perfect.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and hope your day is going well.