Taming the west—one heart at a time.Healing HeartLonnie Holt’s external scars remind him of his failures, his internal scars torment him. Genny Collins seeks safety at the ranch once owned by Lonnie’s uncle. When Lonnie and his brother arrive, sparks fly and distrust abounds. While Lonnie and Genny fight the love growing between them, his past haunts him, and her past pays them a visit.Becoming … love growing between them, his past haunts him, and her past pays them a visit.
Becoming Brave
When Coy Whittaker stumbles upon a grisly scene littered with bodies, he wants nothing more than to get his boss’s cattle out of Indian Territory. But when a bloodstained Aimee Kaplan draws down on him, his plans—and his heart—screech to a halt.
Trail’s End
Wade Chadwick has no money until his boss’s cattle sell, so he takes a kitchen job at Abby’s Home Cooking. The beautiful and prickly owner adds spice to his workday. Abby Cox hires the down-and-out cowboy even though the word cowboy leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Just as she’s ready to trust Wade with her heart, money starts to disappear … and so does her brother.
Loving a Harvey Girl
Eva Knowles can’t imagine why the local preacher doesn’t like Harvey Girls—women who work serving tables instead of finding a husband and falling in love. But if Eva can get the handsome and wayward cowboy Cal Stephens to join her in church, maybe the reverend will accept the girls. Or maybe she’ll forfeit her job for a husband, hearth, and home!
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What’s better than a book with a handsome cowboy for the hero? A collection of four stories with four handsome cowboy heroes! These stories will tug at your heart and give you a chuckle before leaving you with that satisfied *awww…* ending. Most importantly … did I mention the handsome cowboy heroes?! Written by four of my favorite authors is a nice plus as well.
I really enjoyed this whole collection. They were all unique. I don’t normally read many western stories, but these were all really good. I liked being able to sample new to me authors through these kinds of collections.
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own
The Cowboys: Taming the West—One Heart at a Time takes readers back to the late 1800s, through Kansas, Indian Territory, and Texas to a time of saloons, outlaws, gambling, and Native American conflicts. This collection of four novellas by Cindy Ervin Huff, Jennifer Uhlarik, Sandra Merville Hart, and Linda Yezak each contains a unique Wild West adventure with courageous heroines and handsome cowboys that readers will be sure to enjoy. The rich historical details and the dangerous encounters faced in the Wild West make each novella come alive and captures the attention of the readers.
Becoming Brave and Trail’s End are my favorite novellas from the collection because I was captivated by the romance and the cowboy heroes Coy Whittaker and Wade Chadwick, but each novella has a fascinating adventure and is worth reading. The powerful themes of forgiveness, courage, and healing are weaved throughout this inspirational novella collection. The Cowboys is recommended for readers of historical fiction who enjoy western romances filled with action and adventure.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Quotes from The Cowboys:
“You needn’t give up your dreams for me.” He brushed her forehead with a kiss. “You’re worth every speck of gold dust and more.”
– Healing Hearts by Cindy Ervin Huff
“Oh Lord, how she loved this man – and yet there was still so much to get to know about him. So much he didn’t know about himself.”
– Becoming Brave by Jennifer Uhlarik
“Abby glanced up at Wade and melted under the warmth of his smile. More than one female head had turned when she walked in beside the tall Texan, handsome in a dark blue coat, red vest, and string tie. He couldn’t smile at her like that and then rob her the next minute, could he?”
– Trail’s End by Sandra Merville Hart
“He still caught glimpses of the firelight shining in her hair and caught the sound of her laughter, light and happy, as someone else swung her around and back to him. She’d smile up at him from a flushed face, and all he could think of was how he wanted to kiss her.”
– Loving a Harvey Girl by Linda Yezak
I love to read cowboy stories. The “Wild West” hold adventure and hunky men with bulging muscles and a talent for saving the damsel in distress. These stories had all of these elements.
Healing Hearts by Cindy Ervin Huff:
Horseman extraordinaire Lonny and his brother Jed come across a squatter in their newly acquired cabin left to them by their uncle. But they can’t kick her out in the middle of a snow storm. Now what? Needless to say, sparks fly until they get to know this beauty, Genny. She brought troubles of her own to these brothers trying to sort their own lives out. Genny has a knack with food and healing which both come in handy. I recommend this story.
Becoming Brave by Jennifer Uhlarik:
Good sweet read with handsome cowpoke Coy Whittaker who is drawn to a woman found hiding in a log by dead bodies. Coy’s protective nature comes alive with feisty Aimee Kaplin. He will need to protect her many times as they try to get the cattle to market. Fancy riding, muscle bound men, an ornery cook, secrets, gunfights, and Indians make for an exciting read.
Trails End by Sandra Merville Hart:
Cowpoke Wade Chadwick needs to find a pay check while the cattle wait in a long line to board a train back east. Drink, gambling, or wild women are what the town offers. Instead of those pursuits, he takes a job as dishwasher in charming Abby Cox’s Home Cooking establishment. Things start to go missing and suspicion flares. Drawn to Abby, Wade wants to protect her as well as his secret ambition to wed the beauty. She on the other hand although drawn to him, doesn’t trust cowboys. In her mind, family first is what matters. Fearful woman meets strong protective male. Sparks fly as passion mounts.
Loving a Harvey Girl by Linda Yezak:
Strapping and handsome Cal Stevens was smitten the first moment he laid eyes on Eva Knowles who arrived into town moments before. Frightened, hungry, and out of work, Eva allows the handsome man to take her to dinner. He helps her find a job as his heart is set on the beauty. A quick learner and full of grace and poise Eva excels at her job. Her interests lie in sending money home to an ailing parent and siblings. She has no desire to marry. Cal needs to change this darling’s mind. But another woman has her sights on the strong handsome man. A little conniving from two females can make or break the budding relationship. A wonderful triangle tangled web of infatuation.
Cindy Huff in Healing Heart has craftily weaved a spit-fire page-turning romance with a surprise climax around the post-Civil War era. Though the two twin brothers Jedelian and Zebuloh Holt, look alike, they are polar opposites in temperament. Genevieve Collins proves a feisty match for these rowdy boys from Texas who often finds herself caught in the middle of their advances.
Coy Gentry Whittaker lands heart-first after rescuing the beautiful Aimee Kaplan. Alone and frightened Aimee clings to Coy for protection. But it is only a matter of time before she finds out he’s half Cheyenne, of the same tribe that murdered her brothers.
Jennifer Uhlarik’s Becoming Brave tests the boundaries of Christian patience and forgiveness all wrapped up in a bow of God’s love.
Wade Chadwick and the beautiful heroine Abigail must face the reality of their predicament.
Sandra Merville Hart in Trails End doesn’t hold back any punches. She mixes the evils of gambling in this rip-roaring western into a thrilling romance while providing historical authenticity about the saloons and gambling halls. She adds just the right seasoning to concoct a thrilling climax to this novella.
Loving a Harvey Girl is brimming over with wrong turns in this tricky romance between cowboy Cal Stephens, Melody Malone, and Harvey Girl Eva Knowles. Tastefully exciting,
Linda W. Yezak creates an historical time tunnel about the plight of these hard-working often misunderstood Harvey girls. It’s a page-turning romance with Cal caught oftentimes in the middle of two equally determined ladies.
I was given a copy of The Cowboys for my honest review.
“Taming the west—one heart at a time.”
Healing Heart by Cindy Evin Huff:
Kansas 1866:
“If I only do one good thing in my life, I’m getting my brother home. ~Lonnie Holt”
Brother’s Lonnie and Jed Holt just want to get back to the ranch they inherited from their uncle Colt. Carrying scars inside and out, they soon find themselves at the end of a rifle held by Genny Collins—the woman their uncle hired to keep house while he was gone. Distrust and strife spark between Genny and Lonnie but they must learn to work together as danger from her past draws near.
I like the lessons the author portrayed in this story, no matter our past God can heal those wounds nobody sees inside you & make you the kind of person He wants you to be. Forgiveness is powerful as Lonnie learns when he realizes it for himself. The love of a good woman helps sooth his scars and I really enjoyed watching him and Genny try to fight falling in love. When her past comes back to harm her, he’s right there to protect her along with his brother Jed. These two cowboys are what it means to be a true hero! I just wished the story was longer so I could get to know Jed more, he intrigued me.
Becoming Brave by Jennifer Uhlarik
Indian Territory, 1870:
“Five. Five bodies.”
This was a highly intense story where the characters were in danger from the very first page! While on a cattle drive for their boss, Coy Whittaker and Mitch Tanner come upon the grisly results of an Indian raid and encounter Aimee Kaplan. Distraught at losing her four brothers, she’s deeply grieving. I love how Coy’s protective instincts kick in and his empathy for her softens his heart. They both hide secrets that can prove to be deadly.
This one reminded me of how we often view ourselves as unworthy of love because of some flaw we think we have, but God calls us worthy and loves us unconditionally. Fighting our pasts and trying to hide it just hurts us in the end. It’s a journey to accept who we are just as God made us and coming to grips with it can free our hearts. Coy found out in the end that no matter where he came from or who he really was, he was worthy, loved and cherished by both God & eventually Aimee.
Trails End by Sandra Merville Hart
Abilene, Kansas, May 1870:
I think this one was one of my favorite stories of the four. Adoring Wade Chadwick from the beginning when he stood up for Miss Abby didn’t hurt either! Staying in town waiting for his turn to load cattle on the train, and running low on funds compels him to ask for temporary employment from the pretty restaurant owner. Seeing how rough and tumble the town is made him protective over her.
This was a fun one just watching Abby go from mistrusting cowboys to eventually admiring Wade. I also loved when he took it upon himself to take her brother Gordon under his wings. He has regrets he feels he needs to make up for with his own brother. I liked that Abby wanted to prove to her Pa that she can make her own way in the world and desire to help support his dream of starting a ranch. She’s a tough one and a mite stubborn, but I admired her all the same. Really, I just loved everything about this story! At the end, it reminded me of how sometimes we need our own someone to save us and pay our debts, just as Christ did because of His everlasting love for us.
Loving a Harvey Girl:
Texas 1889
Harvey girls are a particular favorite piece of history I love learning more about. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this story as much as I wanted to. I like Eva and her determination to find employment so she could send money home to her family, and wanting to prove to the town minister that Harvey girls weren’t what he perceived them to be. But that’s where it ended for me. It seemed the girls were catty & spread rumors about anyone in town, and I didn’t really care for Melody or how she manipulated Cal. I had a lot of trouble connecting to the story.
But I’d like to add a positive here. The “Author’s Note” at the end was really eye-opening and I got a glimpse into Fred Harvey and how the Harvey girls first started. That was fun to learn! Please take time to read it; I think you might learn a thing or two like I did.
In conclusion—Each story was unique and showed the authors talent for writing. I enjoyed getting to know the cowboys in this one as they faced danger, fell in love and just lived everyday life. I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the cover; I certainly can’t resist a ruggedly handsome cowboy. If you like westerns and heroes to stir your heart, then I think these are for you!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
This is a collection of four different romance stories about cowboys. You get four different authors with very different writing styles.
Healing Hearts – Both Ginny and Lonnie are attracted to each other, but Ginny is in hiding and Lonnie’s is physically and emotionally charged. It’s interesting how Ginny’s past causes Lonnie to reevaluate his his heart.
Becoming Brave – Coy is on the cattle trail when they come upon an Indian massacre. One woman survives and draws her gun on Coy. The cattle drive take her belongings and her on the cattle drive, but they find that they have a group of outlaws falling them. This story is about how Coy finds himself protecting her and her overcoming the horrific events of the massacre.
Trail’s End – This is a delightful tale of a cowboy out of money till his boss sells his cattle and a woman who runs a kitchen. Her brother is stealing money from her and Wade tries to help him out.
Loving a Harvey Girl – This is a delightful tale with a lot of spin. The Harvey Girls had a lot of rules and training that they had to abide by. The author seems to be very lax in these rules. If the community thought these girls were harlots, its because the owner of the Harvey Girls did not force her girls to abide by the Harvey Rules and Regulations.
As much as I enjoy a good novel, I’ve gotten hooked on novella collections over the last couple of years. The Cowboys is a great compilation of stories set in the late 1800s out West. I don’t know a lot about that era or locale, so it was fun to immerse myself in the time period and learn about it. I liked all the stories and will definitely re-read the collection, but my favorites are Healing Heart and Trail’s End. In Healing Heart, Lonnie Hart is a complex, pain-filled man who struggles to reconcile his faith with his guilt over not fighting in the Civil War because of his pacifism beliefs. He feels deeply, yet is unable to express himself which creates mistrust and misconceptions making for lots of conflict. Add his twin brother and interloper Genny Collins, and you’ve got the makings of a wonderful story. In Trail’s End, Wade Chadwick is a man’s man having spent years on the trail. Despite that, he has manners and an innate refinement that allow him to fit in at the restaurant where he helps Abby. She is naïve about her brother, but her feelings are understandable. No one wants to think badly about family. I love that Wade gets involved to help Abby and slowly works his way into life without being pushy or overbearing. He can come wash my dishes anytime! All the stories contain messages of faith and forgiveness that provide encouragement and exhortation for readers. Highly recommended.
This is a good collection of cowboy gets the girl stories. I enjoyed them all and met a few new to me authors. They are short and easy to read. I will follow up for other books by these authors.