Description:
In spite of their differences, Trey Walker Stafford knows he owes his life to cowboy and legendary rancher Sam Stafford—the uncle who rescued him after his parents’ death. Trey had left the Double S Ranch to pursue music against Sam’s wishes, but returns to central Washington when he learns he’s the best match for a procedure that could save Sam’s life. Although Trey’s found country music fame and success, he’s also endured the tragic loss of his wife. He croons about love, but struggles with a yawning emptiness he can’t explain.
Overwhelmed by a growing list of challenges, but mistrustful of Stafford men, single mother Lucy Carlton reluctantly accepts Trey’s help to revive her crumbling farm when Sam instructs him to repay the overdue debt to her family.
As the two grow closer, Trey slowly begins to open his heart to this beautiful woman and strives to let go of the grief he’s held for years. Lucy has a complicated history of her own. Can Trey accept her as she is, learn to forgive the past, and find the elusive peace he's sought for so long?
My thoughts on the book:
The Stafford boys have never had it easy Trey should know that well but when faced with a decision to help or walk away he feel like deep down in his soul that he is missing something in his life so no matter what the decision is he needs to feel whole. Lucy doesn't trust any of the Stafford men, but when one seems "crash" into her life she feels like she can't escape them at all. Can she learn to trust the Stafford's when they reach out to help her or is she better off with out them?
I am sure this is the last book in the series however I want so much more. I love the Stafford's, I love how the author made this family the whole family imperfect and how they each faced a set of struggles, and Trey being the Nashville country star was faced with some through out this book. I truly enjoyed this story it held my attention throughout and keeps you wanting more with each page. I noticed a pattern in this series there seem to be a small drag in each one of the book this one included however it was very minor and quickly get right back in and it leaves you wanting so much more. You really can not go wrong with this series such amazing books.
Where you can connect with the author:
www.ruthloganherne.com
While at amazon check out Ruth Logan Herne's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Description:
The Prodigal Is Coming Home
It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.
He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why.
Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?
My thoughts on the book:
Colt's life seems to be falling apart and he goes home and to the last place he ever thought he would go home to. His dad is sick and it seems his brother needs help he never expected to come home to having a women running the ranch but will he be able to help his family and get back to NYC or will more secrets keep him on the ranch? Angelina is running the ranch and helping Sam out getting him healing. However she has some secrets that she needs to make some decisions on. She is also now faced with dealing with Sam's oldest when it seems that all is lost she starting to question her choices and weather or not she belongs at the ranch any more. Can she make the best choices for her family?
I LOVED this book. I super enjoyed the fun characters and the banter and the personalities of the young kids they seem to add a whole new element to the story itself. I totally enjoyed the small home feel of the book and how the past can seem to be everywhere good and bad but finding healing in it all seemed to be the key of this story. I really enjoyed the overall story nothing I didn't like. I enjoyed the fact that I got sucked in and couldn't put it down. This book is a clean romance and well worth the read.
Where you can connect with the author:
www.ruthloganherne.com
While at amazon check out Ruth Logan Herne's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Description:
Can the brother left behind and a woman without hope work together for the good of two precious children?
Nick Stafford stayed in central Washington, working his family’s large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions—but his toughest job is being a single dad. As a child he watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick was determined to show him up. He’d be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Despite that commitment, three years after Nick’s wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both of his girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.
For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray’s Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.
Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amid the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based on faith rather than fear?
My thoughts on the book:
Nick has done everything right in his life, or at least has tried. He's at a point in his life now that he needs to do whats right for his girls, even with the world around him seems to be falling apart. When his family pushes him to take his girls to a therapist he is non to happy but he knows he needs to do right by them. Will he be able to convince Elsa this is whats best for his family and get her to help?
Elsa is facing some demons from the past and she is not happy that her sister keeps pushing for her to things that are just out of her comfort zone. Will she be able to face the past and find a future that she always wanted?
I really, really loved this book. I felt like I was catching up with friends not reading a book. I really loved how the characters felt like the situations were very much real and could happen in life and not just fiction. The storyline is well written and gets to the heart of the matter. I loved how life is not perfect, and the author didn't try to make it that, no matter how much you try and protect the children its not always that way and that came across in this book. This book will not disappoint and is the perfect read and reminds you that at the end of the day Family is whats most important. This book will not disappoint and you can't go wrong, totally worth the read.
Where you can connect with the author:
ruthloganherne.com/
While at amazon check out Ruth Logan Herne's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Description:
Bringing to mind classics like Catherine Marshall’s Christy, society’s standards are put to the test and a Northern Appalachian town comes together to save a neglected child in Ruth Logan Herne’s new romance, The First Gift. This poignant novel tells the story of five-year-old Cassie Carruthers, who lives in a bug-infested shack in the hills of Western New York’s Southern Tier. Her mother has died and Cassie spends her days fending for herself while her alcoholic father drinks himself into a stupor. But Cassie’s isolation has not gone unnoticed in the tightknit community of Phillipsburg. When a concerned neighbor alerts the county, the community sets a plan in motion to rescue the neglected little girl. Through fundraising efforts, Cassie is tucked into the kindergarten classroom of independent, beautiful Kerry McHenry. Kerry has her work cut out for her in dealing with Cassie’s depressed father, but despite the child’s loveless start in life, she soon reveals herself to be an intelligent, eager student. Moreover, she possesses a resourcefulness that has saved her life more than once—and will be called upon again. Kerry McHenry is nobody’s fool. She sees her own tough upbringing in Cassie’s dire situation, so she works tirelessly to guide the young girl, trying to help her become everything that God wants her to be. At the same time, she finds herself torn between a commitment-phobic pediatric oncologist from a nearby town and Phillipsburg’s widowed deputy sheriff, a complicated man who is still angry with God. As the stakes grow ever higher and the characters’ lives intersect in unexpected ways, each will face a true test of faith—and come face to face with indisputable evidence of God’s love.
My thoughts on the book:
Cassie is living a hard life at such a young age when a group of people set out to try and help all the know how to do. Kerry loves teaching but when she is given the task at helping a young child in need things from her own past out brought to the forefront. Jake has a beautiful family at home his only loss is his beloved wife and his mom and sister keep encouraging him to get out there, but he needs to deal with some bigger things first.
I will start off saying I really loved the storyline of this book. The book gets to the matter of the heart in a lot of place and leaves you hoping for the best and holding your breath in some places. I did not like that there was so many characters and so many different view points I wish in a way that the story could have been told in the view points of less as it seemed to be confusing at some points. There are some very intense parts in this book and so very hard subject dealt with. Every time the point of Cassie came up my heart would just break for the little girl I was beyond in love with her little character. Over all I would say this book is worth the read and just connecting with each character may add an element to it, its worth it in the end.
Where you can connect with the author:
ruthloganherne.com/
While at amazon check out Ruth Logan Herne's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Description:
Glad tidings, hearts binding.
They’ve weathered a lot worse than winter. For widow June Harper, another cold front is about to hit. Most call him Hugh. She’d call him Scrooge, except as the man ensures her needs are met, June can’t help but wonder how to meet the needs of his heart.
Netty Lewis can take care of herself, has for a while now. Some hired help over the holidays doesn’t change that. And even if Roy does take care of her, that doesn’t mean he cares for her or that he’ll stay past Christmas.
Pastor Colton McCabe is having the opposite problem. He’s not sure he’ll make it through the holidays with his new housekeeper. Grace can’t seem to do anything right but love. Perhaps being a homekeeper will earn her a permanent residence in his heart.
And no one longs for a home more than Connie Lancaster. She’s determined to return to St. Louis, and no cowboy can change her mind. But if Isaac can change her heart, maybe Connie will see the homecoming she’s been waiting for isn’t to a place but a person.
My thoughts on the book:
Grace has craved one thing her whole life, she wants family and to belong. When she turns her life around she sets out to make a new life and hopes her best friend's help is still needed even a year later, but when she arrives she finds the last thing she expected. Col has his four girls, his aunt and his church to take care of and he also needs to get his wive's last wish finished in time for christmas. When help seems to arrive at his door step the last thing he thinks that will happen is disaster but it seems thats all that follows in Graces wake. Will they both find the love and forgiveness they both seek?
Hugh is mad at God he feels as if God wronged him, but when one of his day workers the spitfire of a women and his sister show him that even in the worst of time you have to rely on God to get you through. He wonders if the path he is on is the right one. June and her friends have lost everything all they have left is each other an their kids. The three set off to get a job, June and Anna get the job so they are left to care for the eight. When one man sets out to destroy their chance June has no problem going toe to toe with him and in doing so she get the attention of the rancher that she needs to convince there are people in need out the in hope for help for everyone. Love has not boundaries but learning to love with out them and to love others in their darker times seemed to be the moral of this story.
Betty is wondering if its time to walk away and make a better life for her and her son since thats all thats left. When she stuck in a whole a cow has chased her in she has time to think and knows there has to be a better way. When a stranger helps her out she wonders if she can convince him to stay and help her and her son even though she has nothing to give. Roy is fighting his own personal demons and is set to head west but is in no hurry to get there. As he is riding past a farm and sees a horse gone rouge he sets out to find its rider. When she tries and convinces him to stay and help her out he wonders if it will even be worth his time. Will they be able to work together and get the money they both need? I really really enjoyed this story out of all of them. I really enjoyed that the true meaning of Christmas played out and they way it played out.
Connie has had it all and looses it just as quickly. When her dad dies her and her mom set off and settle in Arizona but she has a longing to go home. Isaac sets out to change there mind he knows in his heart that she is the one for him. Will that be able to see eye to eye before its to late? This story was so fun it was quick and had a lot pact into it. A story of finding out that things aren't always as they seem.
Each of these stories seem to have an underlay of a moral to the story each one was completely enjoyable and makes you want more. Each story happened around Christmas time giving the christmas feel however Longhorn Christmas was my favorite it truly showed the real reason for Christmas. Each story is set in the 1800s but over all the books where well worth the read and completely enjoyable, so worth the purchase. It leaves you wanting just a little more. Each story shows that with out love and stubbornness life is just that and you can't embarrass those around you.
