The Rancher's Texas Match (Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch) by Brenda Minton

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch #1

by Brenda Minton

A Rancher's Mission As a volunteer at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, Tanner Barstow helps the troubled young residents turn their lives around. When a local rancher dies and leaves his large property to the boys ranch, Tanner finds himself spending a lot of time with Macy Swanson, whose orphaned nephew, Colby, lives at the ranch. Tanner's attracted to the newcomer, but she doesn't fit his plans. Macy longs to have Colby come home with her, but the former city girl worries she won't be the mother he deserves. Can Tanner help her see that the future she and Colby need is right here—with him?

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

Mass Market Paperback

About the author

Brenda Minton lives, procrastinates, writes, drinks coffee, raises her kids and is wife to her husband, in the Ozarks.

Okay, now to first person because a third person bio sounds like someone else wrote it about me, and is just license to create flowery prose about myself.

I grew up on a farm in the Ozarks. It was long ago and far away, in a land before cable TV, video games and the internet. To pass the time we read books, watched (gasp) network TV that rarely came in clear, and had friends over on weekends to play music on the front porch, or card games in the dining room.

The result of growing up 'country' was an active imagination. For fun I wrote stories to entertain myself and I dreamed of being an author. Oh, but first, before writing, I wanted to be a jockey.

Writing won out over being a jockey. In the spring of 2006 I got the call that made those dreams come true: the call that welcomed me into the Steeple Hill family of authors.

The moral of this story, never stop dreaming.

Reviews

[Chasity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left me with a few questions at the end but overall a good story.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting of a ranch where boys get the chance to learn how to cope with their trauma and heal. Macy and Colby are working toward reunification, and Tanner becoming more involved in their lives is a catalyst to help them move forward. It's heartbreaking that children go through such tough situations, and I'm thankful to the people who work in the industries that help them. Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to various characters at the ranch and in the community that will be featured in the following books. The subplot of suspicious trouble making which is blamed on the boys at the ranch by the local cantankerous lawyer isn't resolved but seems that it will be an overarching plot connecting the books. The healing and faith that Macy and Colby experience brought depth and sweetness to the story and I enjoyed their happily ever after.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart of a series involving a boy's ranch. I hope that you are not thinking, trouble makers, because these boys have had more hurt than everyone has ever thought about. Each novel in this series is wonderful in it's own way. Through love and dedication, everyone always deserves a happy ending.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her brother and his wife, Macy is left to the care of their only son Colby.Colby got some issues to work though and until then he'll stay at the ranch Tanner volunteers at. Macy is young and conflicted and not sure if she'll be a good parent but will try. Meanwhile on Tanners sides of things the ranch he works at seems to have issues on thier own with the town placing blame on the troubled youth that seem to go to there.

I thought that this was a very heartwarming book, its about love loss and trying to pick up the pieces with the life effected by death. I loved that Macy is a strong women who has had plenty of things going wrong with her life. She had her own life, a fiance, she didn't need to leave all that for her nephew but she was caring and loving enough to do so. She's questioning if parenting is whats right she doesn't have much experience and is afraid of ruing things. I loved that Tanner was there to help her in this time of need, being shoulder to learn on to helping care for her nephew at the ranch. To also help prove to Macy that she can do this. Overall I enjoyed this book it was sweet and I enjoyed it.

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Lone Star Cowboy League Continuity Series. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next month's book. Brenda always writes a great story and this one is no exception, it's well written, heart warming and full of faith. I know you will love it.
Macy Swanson lost her brother and his wife a year ago. She now lives in their home and is trying to help her young nephew deal with the trauma. Colby is living at the Lone Star Cowboy League's Boys Ranch. Macy is volunteer at the ranch and is taking family therapy at the ranch. Is she capable of being a mom for this devastated child? Should she go back to the city where she belongs? She's not sure she can take care of herself.
Volunteer worker Tanner Barstow works with the troubled boys at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch. An elder rancher dies and leaves his ranch to the boys home with several stipulations. Tanner ends up spending a lot of time with Macy and Colby. She is everything he wants in a woman but she is a city girl; no matter how attracted he is he can't risk falling for her only to have her leave him and return to the city.
A journey of grief, faith and finding peace. God has a plan for these three, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Just give God control and watch Him work in your life.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher's Texas Match by Brenda Minton. A Lone Star Cowboy League Series, number 1 book. Rancher Tanner Barstow volunteers at The Lone Star League Boys Ranch. A Ranch for troubled boys. A neighbor rancher died and he left the ranch to the Boys Ranch. Someone has been causing trouble and the boys from the ranch are getting blamed for it. Will have to read the other books to find out who is doing it. Macy Swanson has custody of her nephew when her brother and sister in law die. The boy, Colby, has emotional problems. Macy takes him to the boys ranch. She visits him while he is there, getting to know him. And making the transition easy for Colby to their home. Tanner gets involved with Macy and Colby. A very good read.

[Pam Graber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macy Swanson's life took an unexpected turn when her brother and sister-in-law die in an accident, leaving their son, Colby, in her custody. It's been a season of loss for her, some voluntary like her home in Dallas and her job there, but some were involuntary, like her fiance who "didn't sign on to raise someone else's kid." She uproots her life to move to Haven, only to have Colby's anger boil over, making it necessary to place him at the Lone Star Cowboy League's Boy's Ranch. Already feeling ill-equipped for the job as his mother, she volunteers at the ranch to be near Colby, and begins to see fellow volunteer, Tanner Barstow, as someone she can count on. Will her heart lead her to stay, not only for Colby, but because love has found its way in?

Tanner Barstow grew up fast. His drug-addicted parents abdicated their responsibilities as parents, leaving him to care for and protect his younger brother and sister. Even though they're all grown now, he can't help his protective instincts. Volunteering at the Boy's Ranch is his way of giving back to the place that offered him respite as a boy. As he sees the love Macy showers on her nephew, he can't help wondering if the city girl can actually transplant herself to ranch country, and can he give her a good reason to want to stay?

Tanner and Macy were great characters. Together, their individual strengths complemented one another. It was beautiful to watch their tentative steps toward a relationship. I also loved seeing Macy as she did her best to love Colby, even when he was busy pushing her away.

I definitely recommend this book.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend (Mh) sent me this book in a box of books.

The good points:
-the story pulled me in, and I appreciated that the author did not have the characters married at the end of the book, particularly given all the relationship roller coasters they had within this story.


The bad points:
-Many questions remain unanswered: who is behind the criminal acts? Who is leaving the cryptic messages? Will the ranch get to keep the new property or will they have to move back to the one they started with at the beginning of the book?

[Alicia Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. I didn’t realize it was book one in a series. Quite a bit was left unresolved. The story was predictable as most of these Love Inspired books are. This is what I needed in this busy season. And I’ll need to order more books in the series.

[Brenda Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I start this series

I love this story about live ,losses and finding love and home again the characters are great and the story line well written. It has a little mystery thrown in.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

[Naela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story to start the series.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2
Tanner Barstow is an area rancher who is also Vice President of the Lone Star Cowboy League. He helps out the troubled kids who live at the Boys Ranch. Macy Swanson finds herself in Haven when she becomes guardian of her nephew, Colby. Colby is currently living at the Boys Ranch trying to deal with the loss of his parents and accepting his Aunt Macy as his new guardian. Macy is unsure whether she would be the right person to raise Colby or whether she’d ever fit in to the small community of Haven, since she came from Dallas. Tanner and Macy are attracted to each other but Tanner thinks Macy will eventually take Colby and head back to Dallas. But the more time Macy spends in Haven the more she’s feeling at home. Will Tanner be able to convince Macy that being a mom to Colby and staying in Haven just might be the best option, for both of them.

This was a very enjoyable story. I love the idea of a ranch where troubled kids can go and learn some ranching skills and have folks that love them through their problems. There are three different series having to do with the Lone Star Cowboy League. There is the ‘Lone Star Cowboy League’, the ‘Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years’ and ‘Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch’. This book falls in the Boys Ranch series. The books have connective threads so reading them in order is probably best, but that said, I still enjoyed this story without reading the other books in the series. It did make me want to read the other books though. I really enjoyed all the folks in Haven. It’s a close-knit community where everyone helps each other out. Macy and Tanner were both great. You could understand Macy’s hesitation about assuming the roll of mom and living in the house her brother and sister-in-law lived; that would be really difficult. Tanner was a great guy but wasn’t really interested in a relationship, until Macy that is! Although you kinda know how things might turn out with them, there are other things going on that remain unresolved and carry through to the next book. I look forward to returning to Haven and catching up with all the happenings.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A couple favorite moments:

He didn’t know Macy very well, but he had to admire how she could calm a group of rowdy boys with a story If he was being honest, there were other things to admire, things a man couldn’t help but notice. He sure didn’t mind admiring or noticing.

“I know you’re afraid you can’t do this. We all feel that way when we are looking a problem head-on and thinking that this is our future. In time you come to a place where you realize you’ve survived it, and that, through it all, God made you a little stronger.”

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the start of the third bunch of Cowboy League continuity series. This time dealing with a boys ranch. I loved Tanner and Macy's story. Hard NOT to like Tanner. Trouble at the Boy's ranch, a residential treatment place for young boys who have had some tough breaks in their young lives. And now someone is trying to shut down the ranch. There are also some unknown identity matchmakers doing some interesting things.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story, that really got to me good. The ranch is doing such an important labor of love, taking care of all the boys in need of guidance and a safe place to be. I loved how the community was behind the place, mostly, and how everyone was willing to help when needed.
Macy and Tanner's attraction grew rapidly after they first noticed each other after a year in the same circles. The built up with their feelings and interest is subtle, natural, and genuine. Them being able to lean on each other at the time of trouble and drama, was a great sign of the trust building in between them.
Colby's sorrow and fear of abandonment break your heart a bit. The process this young man has to go trough is tough, the circumstances around it sad, yet his progress gives you hope of better days to come.
The process of grieving on both Macy and Colby is well done with the growth, setbacks, doubts, and moving on, building a new life. I would have liked to see their faith in God to play even bigger role in this healing process, as now it was left more in the background with few quick prayers when in troubled. Of course, the church itself was a central place in the tale, but just going to church on Sundays doesn't mean you learn to trust God's guidance in your life.
Even though this is a tough tale that hits into the heart, and makes you go through the process with the characters, it is not all mourning and difficult decisions. There are moments of smiles, joy, jubilee, and the sweet, adorable, touching times as Macy and Tanner try to find their way to each other's heart.
Many events at the town are not resolved in this tale, obviously part of the developing series, and I believe the future books will tell us more about the process of the will, the people they have to find, and who is trying to sabotage the boy's ranch and people in town. The story doesn't end with a cliffhanger per se, just leaves all these matters open and to be continued on future installments.
An inspiring and heartfelt story of love, parenting, learning to live again after a great loss, and the amazing things a community can accomplish if they so will.
~ Four Spoons

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Rancher's Texas Match - Lone Star Cowboy League - Boy's Ranch
Author: Brenda Minton
Published: 9-20-2016
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 224
Genre: Romance
Sub Genre: Love Inspired Series; Family; Clean & Wholesome; Inspirational
ISBN: 13: 9780373719815
ASIN: B01CZ6OD2M
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.5 Stars


I received a copy of "The Rancher's Texas Match" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.


Description of "The Rancher's Texas Match" From the Publisher


As a volunteer at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, Tanner Barstow helps the troubled young residents turn their lives around. When a local rancher dies and leaves his large property to the boys ranch, Tanner finds himself spending a lot of time with Macy Swanson, whose orphaned nephew, Colby, lives at the ranch. Tanner's attracted to the newcomer, but she doesn't fit his plans. Macy longs to have Colby come home with her, but the former city girl worries she won't be the mother he deserves. Can Tanner help her see that the future she and Colby need is right here—with him?


My Review of "The Rancher's Texas Match"

With warmth and inspiration we watch as a Colby and his aunt Macy Swanson learn to trust that God has a plan for them and will bring them comfort as they deal with the aftermath of the death of Colby's parent. Tanner wants to help them heal and hopes they will see that their home is with him. The boy's ranch is a wonderful place, but nothing beats a home. Warm, strong characters and a solid plot combine to make this a great inspirational story that warms the heart and shows the reader that love comes in many forms.


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[Tima · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tanner works at the boys ranch as a volunteer. Macy has her orphaned nephew staying at the ranch while he tries to deal with the death of his parents. The two meet and work together when the ranch gets the opportunity to move when someone dies and donates their ranch. But someone is sabotaging the boys ranch and safety is becoming an issue.

This story was sweet, but a bit disjointed for me. It didn't say in the description or on the cover where this book fell in the series. But there were some definitely pieces that I was missing to connect with some of the characters and the story of the ranch. The romance between the two main characters was predicable, but well done. The characters from the ranch weren't as developed as I'd expected, but maybe I was missing some pieces since I didn't read first books in the series. The book also ended with a cliff hanger so if you want to read the series, I recommend starting at the beginning.

I received this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Kym McNabney]

I am a huge BRENDA MINTON fan. I have read just about every book she has published. She is an amazing writer, with witty and unique lines. Great plots, and characters you will fall in love with.

I was a little confused why THE RANCHER’S TEXAS MATCH didn’t seem like the typical BRENDA MINTON book I read. It wasn’t until nearly the end that I discovered THE RANCHER’S TEXAS MATCH is a part of a series with other authors. Suddenly it all made sense.

Tanner Barstow helps troubled teens at the Lone Star cowboy League Boys Ranch. His own upbringing is why he hesitate when it comes to relationships.

Macy Swanson isn’t so sure about being thrown into motherhood. She loves her nephew, but isn’t sure she has what it take to raise the boy. After all, she is just one person. A boy needs a father figure as well.

[Patty Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macy has a nephew Colby that is living at the ranch after his parents suddenly die.. Colby is very angry and is living at the ranch so they can help him with his anger. Tanner Volunteers at the ranch and has a soft spot for Colby and his aunt.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a nice fast paced clean romance and you cannot go wrong with reading it.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read just loved this book didnt want to put it down recommended to all