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
Deacon Hudson was a good guy who always wanted to be a preacher. Just when he thought everything was going to work out great, a newborn baby girl shows up on his doorstep with a note attached saying that he was the baby’s father. He had never had a relationship with anyone so he knew that was an impossibility but this baby needed a father so he took it on but in the process lost the opportunity for his dream job.
Years later, Blair Dixon returned to the small town of Cowboy Crossing where she had grown up. She had a bit of a wild reputation and had served a prison term for something that happened when she was hanging out with the wrong crowd. She knew that Deacon Hudson’s little girl, Tinsley, was really her little girl, but no one else could know her secret. But, when Deacon began to spend time with Blair and seemed to enjoy their time together and even wanted more, she wasn’t sure she deserved his love. She could never measure up to the kind of good person that Deacon was. But, Deacon wouldn’t buy that. He knew that God forgave our sins because we are all sinners who need forgiveness.
I was a bit frustrated with the hypocritical attitudes of some of the gossipy locals who didn’t want to see Blair get a second chance. I know that happens, especially in a small town, sometimes, but I was so glad that there were some, including Deacon and his family, who were supportive of Blair’s desire to change and be a better person.
There is a wonderful happy ending which I absolutely love. This book is a clean romance with no foul language and no graphic sexual details. This book is about forgiveness and the healing power of love.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Redemption at its finest! Blair lost her way as a teen. While coming home to take care of her ill mother, she has to face her past repeatedly due to the judgemental townspeople including church members . Deacon, a man who chose to be misunderstood to raise an abandoned child that wasn’t his. Certainly this book shows that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” as it all works out in the end. After all, He knows the end from the beginning.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
*There may be spoilers, read the review at your own risk*
This ls a redemption story with a twist(s).
I couldn’t wait to read Deacon’s story from when I first met him and I wanted to find out why he was raising a daughter (Tinsley) that wasn’t his blood, from the first page of his book, his story had me hooked I couldn’t stop reading I picked it back up when i woke up the next morning and finished it.
Alot of the time in stories the man has the tarnished reputation and the woman is the goody two shoes, it was refreshing to see that switched
I didn’t know what I was gonna think of Blair (i didn’t read the description of the book before i started reading it) after i found why she gave up her baby i felt for because she had ” made an unthinkable decision and sacrifice, driven by the unfathomable love a mother has for her child.” I also felt for Blair because she couldn’t forgive herself for giving up her baby ( nobody knew she had a baby not even her mother) and her past reputation, many of the towns people wouldn’t let her forget reputation but Deacon build her up even though she felt unworthy of forgiveness and to have good things in her life which made me adore him more than I already did.
I’m happy that there wasn’t a big blow out on Deacon’s part when he found out the truth about Tinsley.
Im giving this story a 4.5 because I wanted to see Tinsley more in the story, I wanted to see the Daddy/ daughter relationship but other than that this story made you feel alot of different emotions like a romance book should.
I’m so ready to read Inez’s story, I can’t wait!!!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and I’m voluntary leaving my honest review
Deacon always knew what he would be when he grew up, so did everyone else. Up until the day he was to be ordained he knew he would be doing the work of God in ministry. He was that guy. Never any trouble. Never out of line. Always there when you needed him. That day he was needed by someone else. She had lived life against the rules and had paid the price. Now she’s home and things are worse than she thought. She’s made changes in her life but not everyone can let the past be the past. His story is one that reminds us that God’s plan, God’s will, God’s time, may not always be what we want but it’s always on time. Her message is one that will remind us that God heals, restores, and can wash us clean as snow, it’s us who have to forgive ourselves.
The message is clear and delivered from many angles. This author does that well. In her stories there’s always something that touches you. Something that always reaches those corners that are dark and burdened. I love her characters and her stories always walking away with that feel good type of feeling. Love her books.
This was a story of the quiet romance of redemption and forgiveness. The romantic sizzle to be found in unselfishly seeing less in self and giving more to your significant other; even when it is no longer easy. Even when it is hard.
Deacon has loved Blair for years. Abandoned by her father, Blair looked for love in shallow relationships and for grabbing attention with momentary excitement. When she gets spiritual counseling from Deacon, she sees him for the man that she wishes that she could aspire to. Prison and other bad choices make being with him impossible, or does it.
I received an ARC copy of this book and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
Deacon Hudson has known for a long time that he wanted to be a pastor. He lived his life to that end only to have it upset at the last moment. A baby is left at the church with a note naming him as the father. Even though he knows he is not the father, he does what is best for the child and decides to raise her as his own. Blair returns home to help her mother and meets up with Deacon once again. There is an attraction but she has served time in prison. Jessie writes with a lot of heart. The characters are so very real and you feel like you know them. Her stories are hard to put down. This is a wonderful sweet and clean read!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
A Secret Baby in the Show Me State is so much more than a Christian romance. As this story unfolds you are “shown” the life of a man faithful in following God’s Will and not his own. A lesson in Humbling yourself before the Lord as well as forgiveness and Unconditional Love. This is beautifully written and Scripture is woven through so naturally that you know Deacon was meant to be an Ordained Minister. This ARC book was gifted to me but I consider it a blessing. The views are my own and I highly recommend this book!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3358973549?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
I’m really enjoying this series and these books. Blair and Deacon’s story is heartwarming and captivating. It captured me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
This book reminds one that we are not defined by our past but by our love for God. Blair needed to forgive herself because God had forgiven her. I liked that Blair was a brave women and was able to turn her life around from her teenage years. She was able to return home to help her mom and tell her mom she was sorry. I think this book did a great job of showing different relationships and marriages and what kind of marriage Deacon was looking for.. I especially enjoyed getting to know Deacon and how he came to love the little baby, Tinsley that was left in his care many years ago. Deacon’s story is one of hope and redemption and the cycle of life. I was so thrilled with how the story evolved and ended. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
A deliciously, clean romance!
Deacon Hudson’s lifelong dream was to become the pastor of his church Cowboy Crossing but that dream derailed when someone left a baby in the church with his name on the birth certificate. After seven years, he is no longer resentful and loves his daughter Tinsley. He is contented in his role as an assistant pastor but he is hoping that God will provide him with a loving wife and more children someday.
Blair Dixon is back home in cowboy Crossing after many years and a stint in prison. She wouldn’t come back at all if it wasn’t for her mother’s illness but the MS is getting worse and her mother’s good days are getting fewer and farther between. Everyone in town knows her past and they won’t give her credit for the changes she has made in her life. Her 18 months of training to become a farrier will give her the income she needs to pay bills and care for her mother as long as needed but then she will leave Cowboy Crossing and her past behind.
When Deacon comes to visit Blair’s mother it is obvious that he’s still the sweet clean-cut guy she knew and liked in high school. Whenever Blair is around him she feels a little stirring in her chest but a girl like her has no business even having those thoughts about a man like him.
This is such a great clean Western romance series. Jesse Guzman combines elements of faith in God with great storytelling in a way that always satisfies my love of romance but makes me feel uplifted at the same time. I don’t need steamy to enjoy a good romance. Some hand-holding and kisses work just fine for me. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Wonderful read that I can relate to! Inspirational and thought provoking too…
“Because of the way you act. You showed me love. You were love with boots on. You didn’t need to say it.” Do we show love through our lives?
“We’re not supposed to judge each other, meaning pass sentences of judgment on each other. That’s God’s job. But we are supposed to judge sin. We’re not supposed to put up with it.”
This book has beautifully developed characters. Jessie Gussman’s ability to have her characters fall in love while holding hands and giving the reader butterflies is amazing. This clean, wholesome romance deals with forgiveness in a small town where everyone knows everybody’s business. Aren’t we all sinners working our way into heaven? Jessie handles this delicate subject with grace.
This is about the Audiobook:
I truly loved this book from the moment I read it. Jay Dyess made parts of it pop for me. Like when Deacon can’t take his eyes off of Blair, even when he’s on a date with Waverly – twice. Where he’s teasing her over her burnt offerings. Walking across a log over the creek… It’s a story of redemption. When Jay sings for Deacon to Blair, my heart was so full. And when Blair is telling Deacon she can’t be with him, his performance is so beautiful when Deacon is telling her she’s the only woman for him. I just sat there when the story ended – waiting for more. Thank you, Jay for teaming up with Jessie – Gussman / Dyess for another win!
This was a wonderful installment in this single dads series. I really enjoyed it and there were so many lessons to be learned. Overcoming the past, forgiving yourself, God’s plans not being our plans, and many more. I have a ton of highlights in my copy. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this family!
Audio:
Grace. It is all about giving grace and not thinking highly of ourselves because of the grace afforded us. I just love Dyess’ audios. They are so relaxing and peaceful. His smooth voice flowingly provides such adept distinction for all of the characters you get lost in the story.
Very good book!
It was good to finally have a book about Deacon and Tinsley. Answers to questions and a romance. It also dealt with issues we all face and God’s perspective, not man’s. It makes one think while enjoying the book.
Jessie Gussman does it again. Such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I really enjoyed reading about Blaire and Deacon. Very well developed characters and a plot that kept my interest from the beginning. Couldn’t put this one down.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Wow.
What a range of emotions Ms. Gussman draws out from the reader!
Those emotions were pulled from the actions as well as the words from the characters. Plus a fantastic Biblical lesson put in words near the end for those of us too dense to get the subtext… or too busy crying our eyes out at the sweet love story.
Deacon Hudson was looking forward for some time to his ordination. He was a man of God awaiting his next chapter in life and church. Surprises can come in small packages or bundles, and his was one of monumental proportions. Inez Cromwell was a wonderful widowed Mom to her six children. Deacon loved Tinsley, his young daughter, with all his heart. Blair Dixon was back in town caring for her very ill Mother. All combined makes for a beautiful story. I know Jessie Gussman is a proud author of yet another enjoyable read. The more you read her books the more you want. This ARC reader is happy to leave an unsolicited review.
Deacon, a small town man, always wanted to be the pastor in his church. On the day that he was to be ordained, he was praying in the church and a baby appeared at his side, with a birth certificate that named him as the father. Although he knew it wasn’t his child, he lost the chance at that time. He’s raised the baby as his own and works as the assistant pastor in the church in a voluntary role.
Blair comes back to town to help her mother. Her mother is suffering from MS. Blair also wants to see the baby girl that she left with Deacon. No one knows that the baby was hers. And who was the father?
When they come together for the good of the church, there is an immediate attraction but she’s a bad girl, wanting to reform and he’s always been so good. Can the small town accept her as his wife?
This book is a clean romance with a heavy Chrisitan storyline. Another well written story by Mrs. Gussman.
A powerful story about faith, second chances, family and friends. Brair is and excon and back in town to take care of her ill mother. Will people of Cowboy Crossing accept her or will she be judged for her past? And what to do with the attraction to Deacon? He is perfect and she is not and the secret from her past destroyed Deacon’s dreams seven years ago.