She’s always played it safe…Can he reach her guarded heart? Ready to open his camp for young cancer patients, Daniel Stephens must impress foundation overseer Blythe McDonald to ensure she approves funding for next year. But the cautious former cancer patient was once let down by a similar program, and she’ll leave no stone unturned in her evaluation. Can he convince her his camp is worthy of … worthy of the money…and that he’s worthy of her love?
Experience more heartwarming and inspirational small town romance in the rest of the Rocky Mountain Heroes series:
Her Rocky Mountain Hope
Reunited in the Rockies
Her Colorado Cowboy
The Deputy’s Holiday Family
Their Ranch Reunion
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
more
Thank you in advance to JustRead Publicity Tours and the author for providing a complimentary copy to review. All words are my own in this review and a positive review was not required.
I think it is safe to say I am a FAN of Harlequin novels, and have been for almost 20 years. My favorite series are:
* Intrigue
* Love Inspired (LI)
* Love Inspired Suspense (LIS)
So, when I see a chance to review one – I JUMP at the chance.
Lately it has been the LI or LIS series, which is fine by mine. Most are the standard happily ever after romance. After all, why read a romance without it?
This is my first introduction to author Mindy Obenhaus, and this is her final book in the Rocky Mountain Heroes saga. After reading this one, I’ll definitely have to get the other ones. There are four other books in the series – but this is a standalone read.
As with most “series”, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to read the others ahead to get a better and more complete picture. But, in this case it isn’t required.
First and foremost – this deals with cancer. Both adults and children. I say this not because I have a problem with it, but I know how sensitive the subject can be for some people.
For me, it hits close to home. My grandfather died at age 67 in 1980 of lung cancer; my cousin’s son was diagnosed at 5, and after 15 years is in remission; and my mother is an endometrial/uterine cancer survivor. So, I can relate to Daniel Stephen’s character in some ways.
I wasn’t too sure about Blythe – but she grew on me and I had so much empathy for her. Given her situation, it was easy to see why she felt the way she did at first.
This whimsical novel is an absolute delight to read, albeit emotional in some places. I honestly didn’t want to put it down, which is my usual “problem” with the Harlequin books – they’re SO habit forming, but in a good way!
This is truly a feel good story with a lot of faith references. There are more in this one than the other Love Inspired novels I have read, but that didn’t distract nor bother me at all. Again, given the subject, it felt comforting.
Obenhaus didn’t shy away from the cancer aspect, nor the faith element. Her realistic writing in this novel doesn’t romance it, but incorporates the romance around it.
For those looking for a heart-felt, feel-good, emotional, yet hopeful read – this is it.
Now, to find the other books in this series!
Her Rocky Mountain Hope by Mindy Obenhaus is the last in the Rocky Mountain Heroes series. I have not read any of the previous 4 books but am thinking it would be fun to fill in all the back stories of the other Stephens’ brothers. Daniel has a heart for kids, especially kids with cancer, and has set up a camp for them. Blythe has come to check out the camp facilities and activities for a foundation Daniel is hoping will help to fund the camp. Both get more than they bargained for as a sweet romance begins. And yet it is a romance that has some tense moments keeping interest high as to what will happen. The setting of a kid’s camp in the Rockies is interesting and the author is not afraid to tackle gritty subjects and does a good job writing about cancer and is realistic in the emotions and physicality of the disease. I loved the family aspect of the story and also the thread of faith in God, One who can be trusted, that is woven throughout the story. I won a copy of the book in a contest and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
This is the fifth and final book in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone. This is my first book by this author and I had no problem with following. I loved the setting, the characters, and the faith elements that weave it all together. This book deals with cancer which my daddy had but it is dealt with in a sensitive way and I loved that ii featured a camp for kids struggling with this disease. It is perfectly balanced between the hard subject and the light romance. I was impressed with how easily it ebbed and flowed. I wish I had read the previous because I would have enjoyed getting to know the whole family.
I won a copy of this book from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
A lovely Christian romance
This was my first story by Mindy Obenhaus. Intrigued by the synopsis, I was glad for the opportunity to read it.
Dealing with cancer is a theme of many of the stories I’ve read in the past year, especially. While cancer is a huge part of this story, it is more related to the camp for kids with cancer Daniel runs and the impact it had on both Daniel and Blythe’s lives.
I loved the idea of the camp – allowing the kids an opportunity to be “normal”. To not be the only one dealing with cancer, to ride horses, go canoeing, to ride a zip line. . . Daniel’s vision and heart for these kids were very admirable. He truly was a hero.
Blythe struggled with a need to be in control that showed itself in so many ways, even to the tight, neat bun she wore. Every single day. She had to learn to trust God and to allow Him to work – even when it wasn’t clear what was going to happen. I don’t know about you, but that sounds at least a little like me.
If you enjoy Christian romance, I recommend this lovely story.
Read my review of Her Rocky Mountain Hope by Mindy Obenhaus at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
My Thoughts on Her Rocky Mountain Hope:
I have read the other books in this series and have loved them. I knew that this was going to be the same and I couldn’t wait to dive in! It’s an amazing book that continues the series. While you could read this as a stand-alone book I would not recommend that. Who wants to miss out on a whole series?
This is supposed to be book five, the final book in this wonderful series. I’m over here pleading and begging that the series continue. I’ll fallen in love with the characters and want to know what comes next!
Who has more babies? What do the kids do as they grow and age? Who takes over the farm? Does Blythe’s cancer stay away?
As you can see, I’m so full of questions still. This book was amazing. It read fast and furious and I didn’t want to put it down. No mystery. No suspense. Just a good old fashioned romance novel and it’s a wonderful one. I could imagine myself there.
I love that this book tackles a tough subject. This book tackles childhood cancer. Not only does it tackle the fact that kids get cancer but that kids die from cancer and that those kids have a different life than their non-cancer classmates. I really liked having Blythe to share what an adult thinks and feels who has survived childhood cancer.
Daniel is the wildcard Stephens boy. He’s the adventure-loving thrill-seeking boy. But here he is. Back on the farm and wanting to finally bring to life a dream he’s had since his mom struggled with cancer. He wants to reach out and help kids with cancer to have a good time and actually live life like a normal child. Great goal. Will he make his kids with cancer camp a reality?
Can’t recommend this book or the series enough! Go start with book one and don’t stop till the end of book five.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Her Rocky Mountain Hope is a good ending to the Rocky Mountain Heroes series, yet it can also be read as a stand alone novel.
Blythe was a complicated character. Her reactions to some of the situations in the book made total sense due to things that had happened in her background and fears she had regarding the future. It was still hard to see her sometimes retreat from life, put up a wall, and react badly when things scared her. However, she ended up with impressive personal growth by the end of the book.
Daniel was a nice character and he treated Blythe so kindly. I thought he did a good job of trying to be there for her no matter what.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
“I learned to release control.” And I fell in love. “Instead of trying to control the life God gave me, I discovered how to entrust Him with that life.”
This is a wonderful contemporary read and I am so glad that I took the chance on. At first glance, I could tell that this was going to be a cute book, but it was even better than I thought!
Blythe McDonald has spent her whole life living on the safe side of life. She had been coddled her whole life and she has accepted that this is the way she will live life. But one day when she is observing a summer camp for children with cancer, she starts to see that she can let loose and have fun. But what will she do when things start to fall apart? Will she learn to trust God or revert back to her old ways?
Daniel Stephens has been looking for his calling and he finally feels as if he has found it. He wants to bring joy to children who have cancer. He wants to give them a camp they can go to in order to enjoy themselves and have fun. But it all depends on whether Blythe feels as if he deserves to have the money for his camp. He will have to learn to trust God even when things don’t go his way.
I really related to Blythe, she lives life the way I live life, always being careful, always having a plan. So it really hit me when she was given obstacles that forced her to learn how to lean on God. I loved reading about her grow in her faith and watching her fall in love with Daniel.
Daniel was so amazing to me. He had a great faith in God, even though he has gone some hard things. He was also very adventurous which I thought was so cool and he really loved the children he was trying to serve through his camp.
I thought that Daniel and Blythe really balanced each other out. He showed her how to trust God and face her fears, and Blythe helped keep Daniel grounded. They were so sweet and cute together and they worked so hard to make sure that the children who came to their camps were having a good time. But what will happen will their worlds start to shake, will they band together or will they fall apart?
I loved this book and now I really want to read the other books, I accidentally read the 5th book first :). This was a great clean, christian book. I would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what else this author writes!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Her Rocky Mountain Hope
Rocky Mountain Heroes #5
By Mindy Obenhaus
Daniel Stephens is about to see his dream become a reality – a camp for young cancer patients that will give them a chance to just forget their illness for a couple of weeks. With the need for outside funds, Daniel needs to impress Blythe McDonald from the Ridley Foundation. Unfortunately, his first face-to-face comes when he isn’t ready for her. Can he improve on his less than stellar first impression? He certainly hopes so or his camp may not have a second year.
Blythe McDonald is a no-nonsense type and she is less than impressed by Daniel Stephens. Unless he shows a marked change she can’t give approval for another year of funding for Camp Sneffels. She knows the disappointment she experienced as a young girl and doesn’t want the same for any young person staying at Sneffels. When a staffing shortage occurs she volunteers to fill in the lack and to more closely observe just how the camp and its less than professional director work out. There is just one problem with her plan – she plays everything safe and the planned activities are anything but.
Can Blythe overcome her fears to see just what she has been missing? Or will her fears keep her from becoming all she could be? Dan has always been about the adventure and wants to bring the freedom it offers to young people who are trapped by their illness. He knows what cancer does as his mother went through it. When he shared his passion with his mother she enjoyed it and he just knew that he was meant to share this joy, this freedom with others.
This is the fifth book in the Rocky Mountain Heroes series which follows the Stephens family and Ouray, Colorado. Each book can be read as a standalone title or in its series order. This has a contemporary setting and is a clean read. And the main focus of this book is trust. Can one trust that someone will be there for them? And what determines a person’s worth when it comes to love? Overall this was a good easy read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion all thoughts expressed are my own.
This was such a beautiful, inspiring story!
I really liked the main characters Daniel and Blythe and their personal connections and interest in cancer patients and getting the camp up and running.
I liked reading about the kids and counselors, their camp adventures and how they worked together to get past fears and limitations. The author described the adventures and camp so clearly I felt like I was there along side them! It also brought back my own fear and then achievement when I did a zipline for the first time too.
Feel good, christian romance with a great story line and characters! I really loved it!!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Every book in Mindy Obenhaus’s Rocky Mountain Heroes series has been fantastic, and the final is my favorite yet. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the others, this one stands on its own just fine, but I’m giving you fair warning you’ll want to spend more time in the beautiful Ouray, Colorado, setting.
Like his four brothers, Daniel Stephens is a good guy with a big heart. His dream of opening a camp where young cancer patients can experience adventure and be a kid. You can feel his disappointment when circumstances threaten to steal the joy and fun for these children.
Blythe is a tougher nut to crack. At first, she’s rigid and unbending. Yet, as we get to know her and details about her past surface, it’s easy to sympathize with her. And as she learns to let go of the tight control she has on her life, her true character shines through.
A couple of the camper kids definitely steal some scenes in this book. Yet, Obenhaus doesn’t sugar-coat the reality of the disease that affects so many people with no respect for age or circumstance.
Throughout Her Rocky Mountain Hope, both Daniel and Blythe must learn to let go and trust the Lord’s plan. That’s hard to do when we want to steer toward certain outcomes, yet God can take those unforeseen or disappointing situations and turn them into something beautiful.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Daniel Stephens has always had an adventurous spirit, he has a passion for helping others with cancer make memories and get away from hospital rooms, which he started doing after the death of his mother. He has taken a leap of faith in purchasing a kids camp, but in order to get his dream off of the ground he needs to convince Blythe McDonald that he is a good bet. I admired Daniel’s passion for what he does, giving cancer patients memorable experiences and a place for kids to be children. I liked how he leaned on his faith in the endeavor, and how he has a heart to serve others.
Blythe survived cancer as a child, and is skeptical of Daniel’s project. She’s always been cautious, and doesn’t like to take risks, struggling with fear and trust. When a companion falls ill, Blythe volunteers to fill in, and she gets to experience the camp in a whole new way. I loved how the camp brought out a more relaxed side of Blythe, she is also very good at thinking on her feet,she and Daniel make a great team, complimenting each other well.
I loved revisiting the Stephens family one final time in this heartwarming tale of faith and family. Daniel likes to try new things and live his life out of the ordinary, helping others to do the same. I admired how Daniel shares his faith, and has a passion for helping others.
Great storytelling and well developed characters that you can cheer for throughout. Very enjoyable, I didn’t want to put it down. I thought there was great interaction between Blythe and Daniel, and I liked how they got to know each other and work together. A very satisfying read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.