Book Review: To Tame a Cowboy

They share a passion to heal what is broken, but it's their own hearts that need to be made whole. 

Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his soul did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.

Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family's Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah's family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they've any hope to let love run free.

My Reflections:

What a fantastic sequel to the Colorado Cowboys series. If you haven't read books one and two I would highly recommend it, however, this could easily be read as a stand-alone.

Brody suffers from PTSD from his time as a Union soldier during the war. He struggles with frequent anger, depression, terror-filled dreams, and feelings of unworthiness. Savannah seems to be a balm to Brody's soul.

Savannah the ultimate tender soul is fleeing from a loveless union. She wants to please her family but must put some distance between them so that she can figure out her own heart. Having trained to be a veterinarian, she flees to the hills to fulfill that dream. 

Brody and Savannah find a common passion in saving the wild horses, will this relationship be just what Brody needs to calm his wild heart? Will Savannah find the courage to stand up for what she wants? 

Overall this is an enjoyable series set in the rustic Colorado mountains. If you are a horse lover this story will likely be a hit! I am excited to see what happens next with Ivy and Dylan, there has to be a squeal for them! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband,...

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Book Review: When The Meadow Blooms

 From the back:

If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again.

But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

My Reflections: 

When the Meadow Blooms is set in Kentucky in 1925. 

This is a touching story of hardship and sorrow and the will to overcome it.

Rose fights to become strong enough to overcome her battle with tuberculosis. The only thing she can think of is her two children Calla and Sienna, who are being cared for at an orphanage.

Having lost her husband she must face her battle alone, that is until she becomes desperate enough to ask her brother-in-law for help.

Dirk has his own history and must work through his troubled past to help his kin who are near strangers.

Living as a recluse is he ready to unchain his heart and move into a new life.

I think my favorite character if I had to pick one would be little Sienna, her keen observations and sweet nature stole my heart. She is a sensitive child who often sees the little details most of us are oblivious to. 

This is a poignant story that highlights God's redeeming love, no matter our past. I so enjoyed traveling with Rose, Calla, Sienna, and Dirk throughout this novel. The story ends neat and tidy making me wish for a sequel. 

I cried I rejoiced and I smiled. This will be a keeper on my library shelves.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Ann H. Gabhart

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Along a Storied Trail, An Appalachian Summer, River to Redemption, These Healing Hills, and Angel Sister, along with several Shaker novels--The Refuge, The Outsider,...

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Book Review: Sea Glass Cottage

 

From the Back:

When painful pasts collide, can love overcome heartache--and triumph despite the odds?

Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl's life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she's certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He's built a new life on the Oregon coast--and there's no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls open their hearts to a new beginning?

My Reflections:

This sweet story about forgiveness and reconciliation hit all the right spots. set in the quaint little town of Hope Harbor, Oregon the inhabitants are quirky and genuine.

Christi is treading on thin ice. After a failed marriage and losing her inheritance she does the only thing she can think of. Asking for a loan from a long ago summer fling is desperation even she couldn't have fathomed. Growing up in a privileged upper class society Christi has learned some hard lessons, now she just has to prove the hard won change to Jack the person she hurt all those long years ago. Hope Harbor draws Christi in with a series of blessings, which encourages her to stay awhile and explore the path God has for her life.

Jack finds his oasis in Hope Harbor living a peaceful life as a police officer and writer. His world is upended in two major ways when Christi walks back into his life. Not only is she fanning the past hurt in his life but she is also fanning feelings he thought were long dead. 

A cast of characters adds life to this story. You have Charley the artist and taco stand owner who seems God inspired with his spot-on wisdom and nuggets of truth. Father Murphy and reverend Baker who love to banter back and forth, Gladys and Floyd and let's not forget those crazy seagulls!

This is a second-chance love story you won't want to miss. If you are looking for a story that is an easy-to-read fun getaway from life's demands this just very well is what you are after!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is...

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