A midnight tryst, an unknown admirer and a baby that is delivered to church with just a short note.
On the day Deacon Hudson was set to be ordained, a bundle shows up at the church with a simple note on it. Deacon Hudson is the father. Take care of her.
Deacon knows he’s not the father. The Immaculate Conception was a one time thing. But the baby needs a parent, and he has to decide if he will … was a one time thing. But the baby needs a parent, and he has to decide if he will give up his life dream of being a pastor to take the child, despite the fact that the note is a lie. Can he do it without resenting the child?
Blair Dixon made an unthinkable decision and sacrifice, driven by the unfathomable love a mother has for her child.
She served her time. Now she’s back to fix the mess she made.
It might not be possible to straighten everything out.
It’s definitely not possible for her to get everything she wants – the best everything for her daughter and the love of the cowboy she chose to be the father.
But small town gossip can be vicious, and unless she comes up with a plan, she could ruin his life a second time.
After what she’d done, love was impossible. Or was it?
Reviews for A Secret Baby in the Show Me State:
★★★★★ “I really enjoy seeing Jessie put real life thoughts and conversations in her books that really do go through the minds and hearts of Christians.” – Tiffany
★★★★★ “Lots of emotions in this story, just as in Chandler’s. And the author was spot on with how judgmental church people can be.” – Judy
★★★★★ “I honestly think this book should become recommended reading for all new Christians. While all the Hudson brothers are good men, Deacon embodies what forgiveness and compassion should look like as a Christian.” – Kati
★★★★★ “I can’t say enough good about these stories in this series, characters are awesome, story line are so interesting. Love the fact I can share with my mom and she has clean interesting stories to read and we can talk about!” – Kindle Customer
★★★★★ “A romance where the girl doesn’t think she is good enough for the guy. Makes for an interesting story.” – Pam
Books in the Cowboy Crossing series:
- Best Friends in the Show Me State
- Sold! in the Show Me State
- A Secret Baby in the Show Me State
- The Beast Gets His Cowgirl in the Show Me State
- A Marriage of Convenience in the Show Me State
- A Second Chance in the Show Me State
- A Mistletoe Mishap in the Show Me State
- His Best Friend’s Sister in the Show Me State
- The Cowboy Finds Love in the Show Me State
more
I loved Blaire and Deacon’s story. Deacon was an incredible father and man and his forgiveness and love really touched my heart. This entire series is amazing but this book might be my favorite.
Another great book by Jessie Gussman! I love this series and this is just one more example of a bad situation turning out for good. If there was ever a woman who deserved the bad reputation she had, it was Blair. And if there was ever a man who was justified in resenting the things that affected his plans for his life, it was Deacon. But Deacon didn’t resent the bumps in his life and didn’t think Blair deserved the disrespect she got in hers. Truly a story of forgiveness and allowing God’s plan to unfold.
I listened to this on audiobook and Jay Dyess is hands down my favorite narrator! I love it when he sings!
How Does God Redeem Blair Through Deacon’s ?
Though raised by a Christian Mom, Blair’s poor choices as a teenager/young adult ended with her in Prison. But she gave her baby the best Father she could think of. Jessie Gussman tells Blair’s Story several years later, in “A Secret Baby In The Show Me State”.
Deacon loves his daughter Tinsley, even though she wasn’t biologically his. He was kept busy in his Jobs, waiting for God to bring him a loving Helpmate. Could that person be Blair?
I how Deacon sees Blair through Jesus eyes of forgiveness, not Judgement. She’s very scared to tell him, that she’s Tinsley’s Mother. How do they get to their Lifetime ? I Highly Recommend You this Outstanding, Engrossing, Poignant, Inspirational, Romantic , to find the answers.
Jessie Gussman has written an impressive story about a young mother who made the greatest sacrifice to ensure a better life for her child. At the time, the young woman did not foresee how her action would affect the young man, who was listed as the baby’s father on the birth certificate. Jessie’s writing and character development inspire me to want to make better decisions in my life. I am moved by her writing and I recommend her stories to others. Jay Dyess’ narration was affecting and tender and his singing as the character was commendable. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.
Sweet and very relatable!!
I honestly think this book should become recommended reading for all new Christians. While all the Hudson brothers are good men, Deacon embodies what forgiveness and compassion should look like as a Christian.
Blaire on the other hand feels like a real person I know (maybe even myself sometimes) who has some major regrets or is coping with bad decisions. This is another fabulous story by this author with amazing characters and unique stories to tell.
Jay Dyess is an incredible narrator with a gift for voices. He brings every character to life with a unique sound and manages to retain voices when characters appear in multiple books. He has set the bar very high when listening to other audiobooks.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and original review.
A Secret Baby In The Show Me State is a story of a girl named Blair Dixson that was part of the popular crowd in high school and when she became pregnant she left as to not hurt her Mama anymore. The day that Deacon Hudson is being reviewed to become a minister, a baby girl in a carseat is left on the church’s front steps with a note that Deacon was her Daddy. He was not named the minister of Cowboy Crossing that day but, he stepped up and followed the plan God set in front of him to raise that little girl. He never complained about it as it was something that needed to be done. It is five years later and he finally was approved to be a full fledged minister however, they had already hired a full time minister so Deacon was working a full time job and helping out doing volunteer work that the minister could not get all done.
When Blair comes back to Cowboy Crossing to see how her Mama is doing she finds her MS was progressively getting worse. She feels she will have to stay and care for her but knew she would need a job. Deacon seen her the day she got back to town. He had a crush on her but did not run in the same crowd as she had. This time with his weekly visits with Mrs. Dixson he meets her after all these years. He had heard she had served time in prison but didn’t know why as he had been busy with college and getting all his minister requirements. As soon as he sees her it brings the feelings back. Deacon is a man that believes God can forgive any past sins and you can build a new reputation. There are whispers at church and Blair knows they are about her. Deacon had asked her Mama to teach the junior church but when he seen her that day he knew she was worse. He asks Blair to teach in her place and all the parents were so excited at the job she did. The complainers were people that just wanted to complain. Deacon had a comeback that was not mean but instead stated he would put them teaching that class then you heard all kinds of reasons they couldn’t teach. Blair and Deacon working together become more and more in love. They tell him to leave her if he wants to take over being the full time minister. He said she is what God meant for him and come what may.
I really enjoyed this book!
It was such a good read.
Jessie Gussman continues to surprise and entertain me with this series. Deacon’s story is one of forgiveness and love. He takes what seems like the dashing of all his hopes and dreams and turns it into a wonderful story of love, acceptance and following God’s will. He finds the perfect mate with Blair, the one person most will not see as such. A great heart lifting story.
What was God thinking?
Some tough things happen to good people in this book…shouldn’t they be entitled to live a ‘charmed’ life? But that isn’t what happened and it isn’t the end of the story. There is laughter, heart warming moments and romance but once again we have a story which goes beyond physical attraction and makes us think.
This is one of my favorite quotes: “Don’t you worry about it, sweetheart. You’re right. There were a lot of late nights, a lot of tears, a lot of time on my knees begging God for you. But you know…” Her mom tilted her head and smiled tremulously. “It was hard, true. But it brought me so much closer to the Lord. In a way I needed. It wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t easy, but don’t apologize for doing something that made me a better person.”
I requested a review copy and am willingly posting my impressions of this title.
Loved getting to know Deacon and Blair. Blair was a popular girl in her youth that ended up in prison. Deacon always knew he was to be a Pastor, but the day he was to be ordained a baby was left at the church, with a note saying he was the Father. Blair comes home to take care of her sick Mom and can’t seem to forgive herself for her mistakes in her life. The Assistant Pastor helps her find hope for a new life. I laughed and cried during this book. If you like clean stories with heart you can’t go wrong with ‘Secret Baby in the Show Me State’. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
I received an audio version of this book in exchange for my honest review. I truly think this is the best of Jesse Goodman’s books I have “read” so far! The story is beautifuly told of how love and forgiveness should be carried out in the church. It is a sweet love story with no sexual scenes. Jay does an EXCELLENT job narrating this book! I espcecially liked the duet song, it was beautifully done! I would highly recommend this book if you like to read Christian love stories. This is one of the best! The ending made me think of the verse “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” My only improvement would be a little detail on what action was taken on the real father. I was abe to listen to this book all in on day.
Secret Baby in The Show Me State by Jessie Gussman
Story (4.5 stars)
Reading the book (4 stars): I struggled to connect to Deacon at all. He was almost too perfect. And yet his stalwart belief in God and God’s forgiveness helped Blair begin to believe that she could continue the changes she’d started and be forgiven.
Listening to the book (5 stars): So much easier to connect with Deacon. To hear the narrator put emotion into the struggles that Deacon has had over the years truly helped me to feel more sympathetic to his character.
Blair was someone I did connect with (both reading and listening). Her humility in the face of the judgements of her congregation was truly admirable. She had made some big mistakes and had paid the price. Now she is ready to strive to be better; to change. I will say, though that her humility is almost inhuman. The way some of the congregants treated her is… unfortunate. Her care of her mother is admirable and her pleasure in earning her mom’s approval is touching and sweet. Deacon’s firm faith helps her, but she contributes to the relationship, as well. Her awareness of when he is overworked and her care of him is truly wonderful.
There’s chemistry between these two and they are thoughtful of one another’s needs. It’s a nice reminder that Christians get to feel passion and attraction and that it’s meant to be that way!
Lots of themes are presented in the book: sin, repentance, abortion, illness, death, caring for our loved ones, allowing repentant congregants the chance to change, etc. There is more preaching in this book than in Ms. Gussman’s other books and yet I feel that the book is very enjoyable. The preaching is a natural extension of the circumstances that the characters find themselves in.
Narration: 4.5 stars
Mr. Dyess really helped this book come to life for me. His deep voice, cowboy drawl and realistic expressions make listening to him an experience to look forward to. His women are voiced very well and sound authentic.
*poor, **ok, ***good, **** very good, *****something special
This book has special moments that are truly life awakening times. The man’s name is Deacon and he is really a deep faith Christian as well as a deacon of the Word. It’s a special story-line with many scripture lines of faith and times when faith is tested. I can actually say that the story can be off-putting and then you turn the page and you are in love with the characters. Why does guilt rise in us when the truth is read in a book? That in itself is why a fan of this author should read this book and pass it on to others who need encouragement to be a better person. Gossip can be a killer!
This is a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and how God has a plan. Deacon may have wanted his life to go a different direction, but God decide where he wanted him to be. When things changed, it was tough at first, but the plans God has are always better than the ones we have for ourselves. Find out how life can change when you lest expect it. I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
Another great story from Jessie Gussman. A baby is delivered just as Deacon is about to be ordained. Its not his, but he raises her as his own and later claims her when the real father denies her. A great story with likable and well developed characters.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book touched me on so many levels. Deacon’s unconditional love for his daughter despite the circumstances of her birth showed him to be a man of integrity. He sacrificed his life plan out of love for this little girl. He also saw the best in Blair. This made him one of my favorite heroes.
Blair didn’t think she had a choice when she left her daughter with Deacon. Now she’s back home. I like the way her character was written, she sacrificed for love of her daughter—giving her the life she deserves with Deacon.
This book is full of emotion, and real life situations. I was invested in the story from the very beginning to the very end. I loved this book.
A Secret Baby in the Show Me State was such a beautiful story! I loved getting to finally read Deacon’s story and how despite he’s having made a father out of the blue, he always submitted to God’s will; of course, even though he is a really nice guy to everyone around him, it was nice to see that he still sees himself as God does: as a sinner saved by grace. Also, it was fun getting to see things from Blair’s POV, why she did the things she did, and how by the time the story starts, she’s had a change of heart and is trying to get to know the Lord better, as well as do right by the ones she wronged. However, life after a prison sentence is not an easy one and she has to bear some of the town’s whispering behind her back, though this also served to see Deacon’s standing up for her.
I also loved all the Truth and Bible references that are sprinkled throughout this book, and even though there may be a couple of opinions I don’t exactly agree with, I think they were minor and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.
As for things I didn’t like, one would be when Blair finally gets to meet with Tinsley. I mean, yes, she gets to spend a long amount of time with her, but since it’s not one-on-one but rather with a whole group of kids, I didn’t feel like it was enough for Blair to really get to know her (or maybe I just wanted a bit more of the conversation that happened while they were eating *shrugs*). The other thing would be that the ending seemed a bit too rushed since I honestly thought the revelation of her secret would happen differently.
Overall, this is a Christian Clean Romance and a great addition to the series (the reader even gets to see previous couples featured in this book). Can’t wait for the next brother’s book 🙂 ~ 4.5 stars
Jesse Gussman has written another sweet romance set in Cowboy Crossing. The scene I liked the most was when they got through to the teen getting counselling.