The town outcast buys a date with Cowboy Crossing’s own A-List movie star.
Ivory Haines is the daughter of the town’s resident retired prostitute and possibly the town drunk, although her mother wasn’t entirely certain.
She resents her position in the town – and especially resents the teasing she’d been subjected to – and has vowed to show everyone that she is just as good as they are.
She can … to – and has vowed to show everyone that she is just as good as they are.
She can hardly believe her luck when Chandler Hudson donates a month of his time to the highest bidder at the charity auction to benefit local victims of the recent tornado damage.
Chandler wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting when he’d offered a month of his time to charity. Maybe for a young woman to buy him and make him her one-month temporary boyfriend. Possibly his brothers would buy him and work him to death for a month. Worst case would be some elderly lady purchasing him just to decorate her dinner table with his presence for a few weeks.
It never occurred to him that Ivory Haines would buy him and drag him out to her run-down, ramshackle, snake-infested bunkhouse for a month of labor on her dirt-poor farm.
But as he gets to know her and sees beyond the reputation the town has given her- undeserved – he changes his focus from one of enduring to one of ensnaring.
Can they put the past behind them and step into a bright new future…together?
Reviews for Sold! In the Show Me State:
★★★★★ “I love Jessie’s books. Her writing style is one of the best out there. She has a certain “voice” in her books that I just love.” – Tiffany
★★★★★ “This book really speaks to the old adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover ‘. Great job as usual Jessie!” – Kathie
★★★★★ “This is a great book that shows how acting on wrong perceptions of a person can lead to years of hurt. Yet there is forgiveness and redemption for those who look for it.” – swavelykid
★★★★★ “Great little story about finding yourself. And along the way finding someone to love.” – PJSVB
★★★★★ “An awesome, unique story. Well written and captivating. The author is truly talented and her stories so enjoyable. Can’t wait to read more.” – Elizabeth
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
Jessie Gussman has done it again with this book! In this book Chandler (a movie star) is bought by Ivory (daughter of the town’s former prostitute) in an auction for charity but neither one of them are what people perceive them to be. Chandler wants to get back to his hometown values and Ivory is as far opposite of her mother as she can be! Old hurts get in the way of forming new relationships and hardships become stepping stones to a new beginning.
I listened to this on audiobook and Jay Dyess really brought it to life. I especially love when he sings.
How Does God Bring Chandler & Ivory To Their Lifetime ?
Jessie Gussman’s, “Sold! In The Show Me State”, shows how God can bring an Outcast & a Quiter into His Loving Family.
Ivory grew up Bullied because of her Mom sins, in Cowboy Crossing, Missouri. Will she allow Chandler to help her improve her Farm & life?
Movie Star Chandler returns to Cowboy Crossing to help the community. Will he press through life’s Hard Things, to honor his Promise?
Will Chandler & Ivory allow God to mend their broken s, & lead them into a Lifetime ? I Highly Recommend You this Great, Page-Turning, Inspirational Romance, to find the answers!
This story was very amusing. Chandler offered a month of his time to be auctioned at a charity event. Ivory needed a lot of help on her farm. Ivory got the winning bid and so Chandler had to go out and work on her farm for a month. Imagine his horror when he saw her farm, for the first time. It was a very funny story and I recommend it to others. Jay Dyess’ narration was wonderful and I enjoyed his singing. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.
Sold! In The Show Me State is a story of how the church at Cowboy Crossing sets up an auction for the tornado victims of Trumbull. They get Chandler Hudson, local farm boy turned Hollywood moviestar to allow them to sell him for a month. Ivory, the daughter of a drunk and a prostitute has lived in Cowboy Crossing all her life but was bullied due to who her parents ‘s were. On her way into the auction a man taps her on the shoulder and tells her not to turn around but hands her $5000 and tells her to bid on Chandler. She had always hated him for what he had said to her when they were in school together. She thought if she could win him she would work him to death to help get her place in better order all the while making him pay for all the nasty things he had done towards her in school. And sure enough she was able to purchase him for $4900 and gave the $100 as a donation. She gives Chandler an eye opener of how others live.
But, the longer he worked and was around Ivory, he changed. He seen how determined she was to be sufficient on her own place and to be totally different from what her parents were. She showed him how hard work would give you a feeling of satisfaction and prove you didn’t have to rely on everybody to be able to survive. He also changed his thoughts of who Ivory was. She proved to him she was nothing like her mother and made it a point that she was not a temporary fling for him.
I enjoyed this book very much!
I loved this story by Jessie Gussman. Not a simple boy meets girl romance but so many undercurrents and realization of truths. Ivory has hated Chandler for years, she really hasn’t allowed herself to live. Chandler realizes he really doesn’t like who/what he has become. It was fun to watch them work together and slowly change. This is a good book.
So Good! I loved meeting Ivory and finding out her and Chandlers story. I laughed at Ivories attitude and their bantering back and forth. When I got down to 20 minutes left, I stopped for a whole day. I didn’t want it to end. If you like clean, fun stories, you can’t go wrong with ‘Sold! in the Show State’. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
This was a great story by Jessie Gussman. The story line was unique and the characters were well developed and likable. I really enjoyed getting to know the quirky characters as they developed throughout the story. This was a very interesting book- well written. I listened to the audible of this book as opposed to reading it – and very much enjoyed the narration by Jay Dyess. He does a great job of adding variations to the voices and reading the book in a great way. Definitely recommend this book!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
It hurts my heart and confuses me why people who look at Ivory the way they do. Chandler surprises not only Ivory but himself. There were some funny situations and tender moments between these two. Forgiveness and moving past preconceived ideas was a central part of this book. Loved who the mystery benefactor was. Part of the ending was sad but the very end was so sweet. I read and listened to this book. Narrator did an awesome job!!! Great voice and I could tell who everyone was.
When this storyline was hinted at in book 1 – Best Friends in the Show Me State, I had no idea what a journey I was in for. This book shows you about prejudice both from others and within ourselves as well as going from heart-stopping moments to heart-dropping moments – in the blink of an eye. Jessie Gussman never fails to deliver lovable characters, serious and believable relationships as well as a healthy does of humor. This book is a wonderful whirlwind of emotions and I am enjoying the epilogues that give you some idea where the series is going.
Jay Dyess has a natural talent and a voice that is easy to listen to for hours. He also has the ability to create character voices that somehow fit every character – even young children and the ladies. This is also the second book I have listened to where he sings the lines of the character – sigh. No doubt he takes this already amazing story and makes it even better.
Sold! In the Show Me State is a beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, and love. The storyline is fresh and full of tender moments and playful banter. I have completely fallen in love with the characters in this series. They are realistic and interesting. I also listened to the audiobook. The narration by Jay Dyess is fabulous. He makes the book come alive! I get so caught up in his performances of Mrs. Gussman’s stories that the negativity and chaos of the world slips away for a brief reprieve.
I received a complimentary copy and have chosen to give my honest opinion.
What a nice story! There is so much heartfelt good in this book that everyone should read it. The writing is great; the story-line is sweet; and, the characters are wonderful. I especially loved RaeAnne and the children in this book. The author does a special job in writing this story that makes you feel you are there on the farm. Thanks for a great read.
This is a great book that shows how acting on wrong perceptions of a person can lead to years of hurt. Yet there is forgiveness and redemption for those who look for it.
Chandler may be a name in Hollywood, but when he’s purchased at a charity auction by the daughter of the town prostitute, he may just have met his match.
Ivory has never fit into the town where she grew up. She was teased incessantly because of her upbringing, but the greatest blow came from Chandler. Now is her chance to get even.
Will they each be able to see beyond the surface of the other? Can love bring them together despite a rocky beginning?
Loved this book. I highly recommend it.
The characters in this book are really down to earth – for what they’ve been through. The town prostitute’s daughter is really working on redeeming herself, and the actor truly wants to get out of Hollywood. Working for her, he sees the life he wants with the woman he wants. True, he’s hurt her in the past, but he’s working on redeeming himself to her. I love that these two are able to forgive each other long enough to fall in love!
This is for the audio book narrated by Jay Dyess:
Jay Dyess makes the attraction, kindness and love between Ivory and Chandler so beautiful. He handles the auction amazingly. Even the farm work, the trials they each go through and the way they treat each other is more pronounced and better listening to it than just reading it. Jessie writes and amazing story, but Jay brings it to life in a way the text alone can’t do.
What I enjoyed:
• During the opening of this book, I was impressed by how the author thoroughly imparted to the reader the depth of emotional turmoil Chandler was going through at this point of time in his life. He was at a crossroad. Which road should he take?
• Sometimes we get lost in life. We show the world one side of us. One, which is a smile pasted on and a cocky, self-confident stride to our step. All in an attempt to hide our true self. One with confusion and hurt inside. This was Chandler.
• Chandler and Ivory were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. This story touched my heart. Two, sad, lonely characters trying to find meaning and purpose in life.
• The minor players in the story added depth to the storyline and were well developed, especially RaeAnne. Kids always add such a cute factor.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast. There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• This novel was a clean read.
• I did not find this western Christian romance preachy. Religion was just a natural part of the characters’ lives. No lectures.
I was given an advance copy by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I will really enjoy reading more books by this author.
I liked the description of the book, thats what made me want to read the story.
to me this story was a slow burn Romance, Both Chandler and Ivory had to do work on themselves (past wounds and what people thought of them as a person) , they had to find themselves a little before they could be togather.
After the climax of the story then Chandler and Ivory coming back togather felt a rushed and a little lacking but other than that I enjoyed the story
Chandler and Ivory them together and also as individuals will tug at your heartstrings and in the end will leave you with a sweet smile on your face
I received an ARC of this book from the author and I’m voluntary leaving my honest review
Sold! In the Show-Me State was such a sweet read!! It had me interested in both main characters from the get-go since one was the Hollywood actor being auctioned for a month of work, and the other was the daughter of the town’s prostitute (if you’re not intrigued by that, I don’t know what else will). Now, as much as I’m always interested in the developing romance, in this case I actually enjoyed getting to know both Chandler and Ivory, and seeing them work through issues of mistrust and forgiveness. I liked how in the end they were just the help the other needed, and seeing them slowly fall for each other was just the cherry on top.
All in all, a sweet clean Christian romance, and a perfect addition to this series. Can’t wait for Deacon’s story! ~4.5 stars
Sold in the Show Me State by Jessie Gussman
Story: 5 stars
Another truly enjoyable plot! I don’t usually buy books if there’s a movie star involved as the lead protagonist. It isn’t a trope that appeals to me. But this book was great!
Chandler’s fear over what he is becoming and his dissatisfaction with his life are relatable and humanize him.
Ivory is such an amazing woman and so strong! Meanwhile, she is a deep character with flaws and insecurities. She is at once so humble, but also proud in her attempts not to care about the preconceived notions people have of her because of her parentage.
Anyway, great characters and a wonderful enemies to lovers trope.
Narration: 5 stars
Jay Dyess is a wonderful voice actor and this book required that he sing! He did a great job and was in tune– in fact, it was a very touching scene.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
I just love this author’s style and sweet romances that just make my heart happy. It’s always fun to see just where her next characters will take us. This time though we touch on one who has a tender spot in my heart. Ms Ivory hasn’t had an easy time in life in general, okay so she may have a few walls up but a girl has got to protect herself. When she finds herself given money to bid on the man who caused her so much pain and grief in school she doesn’t think about it she just goes all in. He is hiding out in his home town just to get a break from the madness of Hollywood and to keep his promise. Neither one was prepared for what would happen once they lowered their guards and showed their true selves. As usual this author takes real life issues and gives us a beautiful take on it incorporating Godly principals.
Wonderful story. Very interesting way to raise money for charity. The end result was touching and so romantic