Thursday, September 22, 2016

Home on the Range

GIVEAWAY

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HOME ON THE RANGE

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 Review:

First off -- let's take a moment to savor that cover. Doesn't it make your heart all melty and turn your knees so wobbly it feels like your bones have been replaced by cooked spaghetti? Insert blissful sigh here. And the book delivers exactly what that beguiling cover promises.

Second -- I want to live in a hobbit house in the woods. Yes, that's my takeaway from reading this book. Not the only one...but important nonetheless.

Herne excels at reminding us of what matters most. Life is messy but God will see you through...if you let Him. That's a tough lesson to remember in the midst of family drama. Nick is barely hanging on, trying to figure out how things got so gnarled up. I can tell you -- Stafford male pride. But really -- what kind of cowboy hero isn't all prickly proud and of the "I can do it myself" mentality? And isn't that why we love them so much? And want to bop them over the head until some sense rattles through their brains?

Elsa is an intriguing mix of tough vulnerability. I love the inner strength that dictates her healing on her terms. And the way she handles Nick and his girls is sheer brilliance. She's unflappable, though not immune to the guy who is "a twelve on a 'smokin' hot cowboy' one-to-ten rating system." (p.9) Their romance is delectably slow and halting. There's plenty of complications and two sweet girls to protect after all.

And, oh mercy, the angst! I had to read with one eye closed as I braced myself for one particular situation. I kept thinking, "Ruthy wouldn't do that to her readers, would she?" Of course she did! But that's life, isn't it? Full of twists and turns that sometimes include desperate circumstances.

Fans of the first book, Back in the Saddle, will be thrilled to meet up again with Colt and Angelina. There's nothing like a teasing brother who also has your back. And the Double S ranch is the perfect backdrop of an epic family saga.

Real and raw and peppered with grit. The kind of story that can make a difference if you let it.

My thanks to the author for gifting me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Home on the Range please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September  25 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

50 comments:

  1. Oh, yes, you must continue with the Staffords, Kate. Good luck!

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  2. Ohman, I need this!! I cannot wait to read it. The cover is indeed heart melting! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. I think everyone needs to read this latest Ruthy book! Good luck, Susan.

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  3. So many great books lately to read! Just can't keep up. I am going to check my shelves and see if I have book 1.

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Isn't it wonderful fun trying to keep up? Good luck, Patty.

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  4. Ok, after reading this review I am adding this one to my TBR list. I haven't read any of Ruth's books yet. Thanks for the review and giveaway! momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. Gasp!!!!! Loraine you must read her books, you must! This would be a great place to start. Good luck!

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  5. Enjoy her books. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I have read one of her novellas in a collection book and would enjoy learning and reading more. Thanks! Cathy. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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    1. Ooohhhh -- you need to experience full-length Ruthy stories! Good luck, CC

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  7. We have the first book in the series in the church library. Thanks for giving me the chance to win the second one.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Love this cover. Nick looks strong but vulnerable and Kav this book sounds like it took you on a roller coaster ride of emotions! I would love to read this!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Yes...roller coaster is a good descriptor so fasten your seat belt! Good luck, Maryann.

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  9. O.. so true Kav!! I ADORE Home on the Range!! And Ruthy, LOVE her!! OK.. stop gushing. As you can see, I already have it, but just wanted to tell you I agree WHOLE-HEARTEDLY. I mean, you had me on your first line.. savor that cover! ;)

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    1. And you got to meet Ruthy this summer, didn't you? Whimper. I am not jealous. Much. Bwahahahahaha! That cover is gorgeous. I don't know how anyone could resist it.

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  10. I love the cover of this book and am so eager to read this series!
    1savedfamily(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Me too! I love the cover and I know I will love the book too!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  12. I am indeed savoring the cover cowboy while thinking about how much I love reading about single dads and the daughters who love them. This book is a win win proposition.
    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. It's a great combination, isn't it? Good luck, Diane.

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  13. Ruthy's heroes do know how to make my knees wobbly! I'm stalkering this title all over the internet until it is mine one way or another. I loved the first in the series and I just love Ruthy!
    betherin02 at gmail dot com
    Thanks, Kav!!!

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    1. LOL -- stalkering. Love it! Good luck, Beth Erin.

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  14. Love this cover! Sounds like a winner!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  15. I've read Home On the Range too and its my new favorite in the series, I love Nick and that little Dakota is such a sweetheart. I'm laughing at you reading with one eye closed, you're hilarious, but I totally understand what you mean. Another Ruthy winner, she just keeps getting better and better. I just finished her novella in Cowboy Christmas Homecoming, loved it.

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    1. You're a read ahead of me, Tracey! I'm jealous. LOL I'm really looking forward to Trey's story next in this series. The Stafford men have a special place in my heart.

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  16. The cover, description, and your review all make me want to read Home on the Range.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  17. YAHOO!!!! I've BEEN dying to read this one! And would be ecstatic to win it! :D I LOVED the first one and REALLY want to see Nick's journey! And even if I hadn't already been longing to read this, after that review it's a MUST! ;) I LOVE the bop them on the head! :D LOL!

    Hugs, Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. These stubborn cowboys deserve to be bopped on the head now and again. Gotta keep them in line. :-) Good luck, Amada, you'll love this book!

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    2. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SO true!!! Thank you Kav!

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  18. I'd love to live in a hobbit house, too! It would have to have a red door, though.
    Dianna

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    1. I like the red door -- so friendly. Good luck, Dianna.

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  19. I have Back in the Saddle...I WANT Home on the Range, simple as that :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Correction -- you don't just WANT Home on the Range, you NEED it!!!! LOL Good luck, Trixi.

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    2. Ah yes, of course,...much more to the point 'eh? ;-)

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  20. Same here! I've got the first and I really want this one too!
    Elly -Indiana-

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  21. Surprisingly, I haven't already pre-ordered this one. I've actually had one of her books arrive and had completely forgotten that I pre-ordered! I just went to Amazon to double check. haha I hadn't, but I did see that the third book is already on Amazon - with another dreamy cover, of course. :-) tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Yes, the third book comes out in the spring, I believe. I don't think I've ever pre-ordered a book. That would be dangerous. LOL I buy according to my budget each month. Good luck, Terrill.

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    2. There are only a few authors that I would ever pre-buy and it's usually when the pre-order price is at a deal or steal. :-)

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  22. Such a sweet cover! I love your review! Makes me need to read it even more!

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    1. Excellent...then my work here is done. :-) Good luck, Nancy.

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  23. It sounds like such a great story! And I agree with you, the cover is just perfect ;)

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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