A very good narration for an excellent novella

This novella was born in 2007 as a short story and is now released in a longer version. According to the author, she envisioned it to describe the brutality of life in the far west for females without the protection of a man or marriage. However, this updated version introduces a happily ever after.

A young woman stranded in a cattle town is forced into prostitution to survive. In her search for happiness, she’ll meet a free-spirited “cowboy” and a mysterious preacher’s sister-in-law…

Historical romances are sometimes hard to read because, if they are realistic enough, they stress on the difficulties of being female (even more if they are queer) in a man’s world. In this story, Ms. Kallmaker manages somehow to keep the circumstances realistic enough without abandoning the idea of a happily ever after. Cowboys and Kisses is sometimes heartbreaking, but it still leaves a hopeful message.

Ann Shanks Etter narrated the audiobook version and did a very good job. This novella has a lot of very hot scenes and Ms. Etter nailed them all. Her performance of the range of emotions – lust, happiness, despair – is spot on.

Overall, a very good narration for an excellent novella. 4.5 stars.

Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins