The Cactus Creek Challenge + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Anything he can do, I can do better.

At least that was what Cassie Bucknell thought before she pinned on Ben Wilder’s badge and took to patrolling the streets of Cactus Creek, Texas. Cassie has been in love with Ben since primer school, but Ben treats her like a little sister. When they are picked to swap jobs for a month as part of the annual Cactus Creek Challenge in their Texas hometown, the schoolhouse is thrown into an uproar, the jail becomes a temporary bank vault, and Cassie and Ben square off in a battle of wills that becomes a battle for their hearts.

My Review:

published in 2015

Romantic comedy meets the Wild West. Such a fun read! I mean, how can you possibly resist reading sentences like this one:

“He almost petted her on the head since she looked so cute and disgruntled, but he figured she’d take to that about as well as a rattlesnake to having his teeth brushed.”

Seriously, this book needs to be read just for the clever word choice that’s guaranteed to generate a chuckle, never mind the impossible situations Cassie and Ben find themselves in! Plus there’s a second romance brewing in the heart of Cactus Creek and those poor souls are just as challenged as Cassie and Ben. It’s a wonder everything works out so well! That’s thanks to the cunning brilliance of the author. She’s created a fast-paced plot with plenty of action, not to mention a bevy of notorious secondary characters, that all conspired to keep me turning pages, grinning right to the very end. Sweet perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and open to any reader anywhere in the world so, yay, an International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Cactus Creek Challenge, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 30 2026

19 thoughts on “The Cactus Creek Challenge + Giveaway”

  1. Love it when an author can mix a great storyline with wit, humor and twist on words. It keeps one on their toes and turning pages. Plus there might be the benefit of learning another cute phrase or pun one might be able to use later.

    THE CACTUS CREEK CHALLENGE sounds like a fabulous story and one I already know I’d love reading. Thank you so much for the amazing chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  3. Thanks for putting this one on my radar! My library does have it, so no need to enter me in the giveaway! I saw it was the first in a series, but it looks like the rest did not get written? Have a great week!

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  4. I like your gently read! I always look forward to your Random Retro Reads. I know you choose with care the very ones you enjoyed so much. This sounds like fun bantering. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I love her Regency mysteries, but I’ve not read any of her previous books. Sounds fun! Thanks for the retro review. Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  7. It’s been awhile since I read this gem but I remember it being quite humorous. I think it might have been my first introduction to Erica Vetsch’s books and now I am a big fan. Don’t enter me in the giveaway since I have a copy of The Cactus Creek Challenge.

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  8. The title and cover of this one is pulling me in! I’ve read books by Erica before but the romance wasn’t prominent. I am curious about this one now!

    Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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