Audio Review ~ Reckless in Texas ~ Kari Lynn Dell #AudioChallenge #2017NewRelease

Reckless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
Texas Rodeo #1
Narrated by: Johanna Parker
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewReleasee, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
Violet Jacobs is fearless. At least, that's what the cowboys she snatches from under the hooves of bucking horses think. Outside the ring, she's got plenty of worries rattling her bones: her young son, her mess of a love life, and lately, her family's struggling rodeo. When she takes business into her own hands and hires on a hotshot bullfighter, she expects to start a ruckus. She never expected Joe Cassidy. Joe came to Texas to escape a life spiraling out of control. He never planned on sticking around, and he certainly never expected to call this dry and dusty backwater home. But Violet is everything he never knew he was missing, and the deeper he's pulled into her beautiful mess of a family, the more he realizes this fierce rodeo girl may be offering him the one thing he never could find on his own. 
Contains mature themes.

So I listened to Reckless in Texas as I was driving "home" through the Texas panhandle and I have to say that it deepened my enjoyment and appreciation of Dell's description of the area - passing through the same towns, seeing the landscape and huge open sky. Dell did a mighty fine job in conveying the feel and culture of West Texas.

Violet Jacobs is my kind of gal. She enjoys life, living in the moment, as much as she can, while also working her family's rodeo AND being a mom to her precocious 5 year old son, Beni. She's lived on the edge a few times - Beni being proof of that - but is trying to learn from her mistakes. Sh's a strong, loyal, and good woman with simple dreams.

Joe Cassidy is a rodeo bullfighter. A momentary loss of control of his temper has landed him in Ernest, Texas, working for Jacobs Livestock. Joe is hardworking and loyal - living for a dream that seems impossible to anyone but him. He's a bit prickly and arrogant but in Violet, he's more than met his match.

I can't really think of anything I didn't like. Dell, as I said, adeptly brought the people of culture of West Texas to life and while only people from West Texas can really appreciate that, it impressed me. I enjoyed getting to know Violet's family, Delon (Beni's dad), and Violet's friends. Dell also captured the fell of the rodeo perfectly - I could almost smell the dirt, hay, and animal smelll as well as feel the excitement of the riders. Watching as Violet realizes Joe is and "edge" that's safe to maneuver along as well as seeing her draw Joe out there with her was captivating and heartwarming.

Johanna Parker was a new-to-me narrator and honestly, I wasn't sure about her at first. But it didn't take her long to win me over with her accents, distinctive voices for both females and males, and her pacing. And she nailed Beni! I'm excited to continue listening to this series.

I want to thank Anna @herdingcats&burningsoup for the review that piqued me curiosity about this series. I'm currently anxiously awaiting book #4 (releasing April 3!!) and enjoying the heck out of this series!!