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RANCHER'S HEART
Victoria Jennings’s family once owned and operated the prosperous Lazy J Ranch in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory. When daddy died he left Victoria a little estate, she is forced to drop out of the Finishing school and find employment. Victoria was once the princess of society, snotty and prideful, but hard filthy work and battling hogs for slop to eat has humbled her. Victoria is not the woman she once was.
Finally, Victoria has opportunity and chance to head back to the ranch, but what she doesn’t know is that Jesse Conroy – the very cowboy whose affections she snubbed earlier is now running the ranch that has been purchased by an English group of men.
Jesse Conroy can’t forget the pain Victoria brought and wants nothing to do with her. When he realizes the ‘housekeeper’ the foreman and his wife hired is Victoria, Jesse is furious and orders her away. And, yet, there is something about this new Victoria. While she is the woman he did love, something is different. And, it’s not just her gauntness, there seems to be a gentle change to her spirit. Victoria is humble, tender, and kind, and seems to want the right things. But, his experience with her has built a gate around his heart and he’s not about to unlock it.
Maybe God has something else in mind for them? Will either Victoria or Jesse be courageous and loving enough to embrace the truth of God’s forgiveness and love?
An exceptional story with remarkable characters, a good plot, and a sweet finale, makes the right beginning for this trio of tales.
UNDERCOVER COWBOY
When Abigail Covington meets Cole Ramsey she hotly accuses him of being nothing more than what seems like the worst insult she can conjure - a con man. But, when Abigail is stranded and Cole comes to her aide, Abigail’s opinion begins to change. Circumstance lands him at her father’s ranch and more than once he ends up injured and under her care. Slowly Abigail begins to doubt if he is really who he says.
Cole Ramsey is a Pinkerton detective sent to route out the villain who is sabotaging ranches. The Covington Ranch is where he wants to be, but when he meets the beautiful Abigail Covington he’s not sure he can pull it off. The more time they spend together, the worse he feels about his charade as a working cowboy.
But, we know when God’s involved anything can happen and it does in this charming tale laced with mystery, suspense, romance, and of course, Christmas.
THE OUTLAW’S GIFT
Raven Patterson’s mother and father are dead leaving her to raise a younger brother and sister. But, things aren’t going so well. She has to make some tough choices that drive a wedge between her and her siblings. In addition townsfolk, including the Sheriff want to take the younger kids and put them (to work) on local farms. Raven wants nothing to do with splitting up her family but it’s getting difficult to feed them and her options are rapidly diminishing. A stranger comes to town, Seth Blackstone and seems to stumble upon the sad group just in time to save them. He becomes their ‘handyman’. Is he an answer to Raven’s prayers or another rung in the ladder of tragedies that has become her life?
Seth Blackstone is a drifter all right. Drifting as far away from his family as he can. When he meets Raven Patterson, immediately he wants to protect her and help. He can’t forget his past, though, and knows Raven doesn’t need more trouble. He agrees to stay and be their handyman helping with chores. Soon, it is evident there is more to Raven and Seth’s relationship than employer and employee, but neither wants to take the first step. And there is the matter of pesky, persistent, nosey and selfish town folk butting in where they have no need to. Seth wants to put the past behind him and love this woman and her siblings. Raven really likes having Seth around, he makes the place safer, and she fears she may love him.
With everything seemed to turn against them, it seems only a miracle could bring these two together. (It is a Christmas story though – Christmas, the season of miracles!)
All three stories are what I’ve come to expect from Heartquest: simple, spiritual and sweet. A nice treat for a chilly winter day, these romance stories – each with its own message and charm - will warm your heart
Recommended for reading and gift giving.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
November 17, 2004
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