What in the world is up with my random picks? Cowboy after cowboy, though Phoebe’s Groom was more small town over cowboy (even though the cover of that one said A Cowboy for Every Mood). Well, Jillian Hart did another wonderful job with Montana Cowboy. In fact, my favourite aspect of this story was the idea of the right person at  the wrong time. And how what seems to be the wrong time can BECOME the right one…

Again we are back with the internet as a facilitator for love. This time through a chat group that is a book club called Good Reads. Honor is a teacher without a long term job and a self proclaimed California girl. She has travelled to Montana to get away from a bad break up and a family who simply does not understand her long term life goals or deep faith. This move has her temporarily only 2 hours away from a good friend on Good Reads, also single and very Christian Luke McKaslin from the McKaslin clan (a family author Jillian Hart returns to from time to time). Her timing is perfect to drive the two hours and make it in time for a McKaslin wedding and the beginnings of an even deeper friendship with Luke and his extended family. 

There is lots of travelling with these two, and lots of deep introspection as to where they want to be in their love life and literal physical location. I really enjoyed the careful consideration these two took as they transformed their friendship into something more AS WELL AS the fact that they actually knew each other on some level before they met in person and this romance began. A back story that was not a second chance relationship… love it!

I have to say… Phoebe’s Groom (the title) feels a bit like a spoiler, does it not? Well, it is from the Love Inspired series so… yah… not so much a spoiler as a rather expected progression. Anyway, Phoebe’s Groom by Deb Kastner brings us back to the small town Serendipity. Specifically a part of her series – Email Order Brides, though there was not much of emailing in this book. (my previous review based on this town HERE)

My first, not complaint, but moment of questioning comes from the beginning of each chapter where the main character, pastry chef Phoebe Yates posts a status update (I assume to something like Facebook). Usually there is a corresponding post from her temporary boss in Serendipity and owner of the local cafe, “Auntie” Jo. My question is… do the other main characters (broken hearted widower Chance Hawkins and teenage daughter Lucy) not have accounts as well? Some of her posts are rather obviously about them and if they WERE on the internet too would lead them to quicker conclusions… just a niggle in the back of my brain. 

Now I did find the family interesting. (and yes there is a play on Sadie Hawkins dance and their last name in the book!), having lost wife/mother in a car accident Chance and Lucy are definitely broken spirited individuals. Chance is so traumatized he can’t face getting into a vehicle and Lucy is acting out as she tries to find her way into becoming a teenager. 

Phoebe is at a crossroads, her previous relationship ending because she simply did not feel she was truly in love, a job awaiting her at a rather elite restaurant in New York. But what Phoebe truly wants is to follow her faith and find a love that is sustaining. 

Phoebe and Chance spend a lot of time figuring out where their heads are, where their hearts are and in Chance’s case returning to God and faith. 

This story is actually rather plausible, a death due to a drunk driver leaving a family fractured, a woman on the search for herself takes a temporary position in a small town before her next long term job opens up, the moment of emergency is even something that could happen. (I won’t share and spoil the book) Love and faith and forgiveness, all wrapped up with a wonderful woman whose positive outlook on life is just what Serendipity needs. Do check out this wonderful lighthearted romance. 

Life gets busy around Christmas what with kids and parties and gifts to make, so what better to do than add a light read while I am working no my to do list? Redemption Ranch by Leann Harris was a lucky library find. Another ranch based book (of course the title… duh), this book is much more than a horse and pretty girl story. There really is a whole lot of redemption going on.

The Second Chance Ranch is an amazing place for children, for veterans, for broken souls who need some healing. Tyler Lynch is one of those souls. His faith rocked by the death of his partner during a bomb retrieval, his soul already hardened by his life as a foster child… there is so much to love about his character. I love that this book deals with the plight of the returned veteran. The difficulty of survivor’s guilt and sleepless nights due to nightmares.

Beth is part of the family business at the ranch. Terrific with animals and kids, very intuitive with those in need. She herself has been soured in love at a young age and is honestly always acting with the very best intentions. She is optimism and joy in an amazing package.

The child in this story is the brother of the soldier that Tyler could not save. He is also a broken soul and his path to joy and strengthened faith is the catalyst for a lot of the goings on in the story.

I really appreciated how the author delved into life after war. Add in the emotional turmoil of the families left behind and you get a bit of an insight into the less than glamourous life of our returned heroes. (and those who never return) I did find a bit of the drama slightly… more… than I generally enjoy but I am finding that this is a common theme in these Love Inspired books. A call for a moment or two of extreme stress. 

Redemption Ranch was an enjoyable read with characters you can’t help but connect with. If you enjoy some horses, ranches, faith journeys and healing this could be the book for you!