Lasso Her Heart

by Anna Schmidt

She'd always lived a charmed life, so when Bethany Taft's fiancé was killed, she thought her chance for happiness was gone forever. But after her beloved aunt got engaged—at sixty!—Bethany found joy in her role as wedding planner. Spending time with Cody Dillard, the groom's son, was a given—the rancher flew Bethany to Chicago and back in his private plane. And between Cody's charming nature and her aunt's matchmaking attempts, Bethany found herself wondering if the God she'd turned her back on meant for her to be a bride, as well.

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction, Adult, Contemporary, Christian Romance, Westerns

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Anna Schmidt's historical novel, THE WINTERKEEPER, received a Five Star rating from Reader's Favorites. Reviews for the story have been strong including one from the Historical Novel Society that raved: "The storytelling and scene building are masterful and create an immediacy that keeps the reader turning pages. This is a writer who feels words as well as thinking them." Anna is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America. In addition she has been a four-time finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine—an award she has won twice. Her latest novel RENEGADE is the second in her new series: Cowboys and Harvey Girls and is available now. Publisher's Weekly hails the series as: "Easygoing western romance readers will cheer for this good-hearted heroine to achieve all her dreams." Anna splits her time between Wisconsin and Florida, noting that, “I am blessed to have a career that travels well!”

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in a series but this reads just fine as a stand-alone.

Religion plays a big role in this one so keep that in mind when determining whether this will be the right fit for you. While I’m not a religious person, reading about other people’s faith can be interesting especially in a case like this one where following the unexpected death of her fiance, Bethany’s at a crossroads over whether or not to continue believing.

Where the religious aspect of this became a bit problematic for me and really made it difficult for me to entirely like the “hero,” were moments when it seemed almost like Cody was forcing religion on Bethany. I’m sure there are plenty of readers who will see his actions differently, but for me, it felt uncomfortable, I just feel like religion is a very personal choice not something a person should feel pressured into no matter how well-intentioned that pressure is.

I felt similarly about Cody and Bethany’s friends and family’s seeming impatience with Bethany’s grieving process. I totally understand that they were concerned and they meant well but again, grief is such a personal thing and to expect someone to adhere to what you think their timetable for grief should be, everyone deserves to experience it at their own pace without so much prodding.

While I didn’t always feel like the other characters gave Bethany the space to set her own pace for moving forward, I still thought she had a decently constructed arc and she did push back against Cody just enough that I was mostly okay with their relationship by the end. Also I appreciated that this wasn’t one of those whirlwind romances where you’re supposed to buy into happily ever after when they’ve only known each other for three days, I liked that this story unfolded over a believable timespan.

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book about a man who could not possibly exist. He's a pilot, a guitar player, a singer, a philanthropist, a rancher, a Chicagoan socialite, and a local good ol' boy... IN WHAT TIME????? There's no way. I hate, hate, hate unrealistic characters.

And everyone in this book is so obscenely rich, it doesn't matter if they put down money on expensive, ritzy venues for a wedding... we can just eat that thousand dollars and change our minds whenever we WANT, because boy-howdy, does being uber-rich make it easy to cheat in a book.

((Rich people - the smart ones? DO NOT act this way.))

The main character's boyfriend - who we're told she wasn't terribly invested in - is THE BIG THING in her life that she can't get over. Yup, read that again. Because that's how much sense this book makes. He died climbing a mountain, and she's NOT OKAY with mountains, and so her sooooo loving aunt invites her to Chicago... whoops, nevermind the MOUNTAINS.

There's not a CHANCE Bethany would've gotten in that jet.
But check your logic at the door, people. Schmidt says so.

Then we're told the mountain isn't about her fear of letting go/moving on, it's about her *RAGE* because her boyfriend DIED... that she really wasn't invested in. And is afraid to let go of... and yet *RAGE*, I tell you...!!! How dare God!!!! And yet 'Nick showed me my capacity to be loved and to love' (pg. 226) ?!?!???!?! WHAT. THE. FARTS...?!?!?!

She's a beeeotch who has sixteen suitcases and is demanding MORE shoes and boots and clothing as she goes along, but 'she is blessed and has a sense of well-being and happiness'. (pg 215). And she's the 'clown', the one who lightens everything. WHEN?!?!?!? She was a harpy and a slog and constantly whining about Nick and her needs and her RAGE.... WHEN was she e.v.e.r a 'clown'???

And she would NOT be the one handing out birdseed, if she was the maid of honor at the wedding, hello...!??!

I... have more to say, but I think this is enough, for the review.
NOT a good book, and NOT a keeper.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters on their own are mostly likable. However it is beyond annoying how everyone friends family even a guy she likes but has only known a few weeks feels the obsessive need to control how this poor girl deals with the death of her fiance. Way too many times they insist that she needs to "move on" and get on with her life and insist they know how her fiance would feel better than she does. It is beyond arrogant and annoying.
another for my donate pile

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable enough, and there were some banter and conversations that made laugh. But I don't understand why the cover model is swinging a lasso since at no point in the book did Cody ever have one in his hands, and there were no cattle on his ranch (unless there were and they were never mentioned).

[Darlene Torday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this thought provoking love story of two different people who had been touched by the loss of someone they loved.

[Emily D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend gave me this book because it had a horse on the cover. Very Nicholas Sparks, Hallmark movie, feel-good story. Quick read.

[Jen Castaneda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book to read before I went to bed. It was a perfect fit for putting me to sleep.

[Alexandra Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down right wonderful!

[Beth Given · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Fluffy" -- yup, this little Christian paperback romance (a gift from a friend that's been sitting on my shelf for awhile) would fit the bill, all right. I figured from the get-go that this book would be predictable and probably far-fetched in places -- and yes, this (clean!!) little book had plenty of both elements. Obviously the main characters would fall in love, even though one (Bethany) is a little bit "city" and the other (Cody) is "country;" there would probably be some big dramatic scene at the end where one character is injured or ill (in this case it was injured). Meanwhile the reader gets to live vicariously through the story, imagining a world where money is no object (of course this Cody is not only head-turning handsome, he's ridiculously wealthy, too) and the male encourages the female to go shoe-shopping on his tab. :lol:

Personally, my biggest problem with the story is the idea that these characters could just fly from Chicago (yup, my beloved Midway airport!) to the wilderness near Phoenix in their little private plane practically instantaneously. Instead of waking up in the morning and thinking, "hmm; maybe I'll go to the store today," they say, "hmm; maybe I'll fly across the country and back today." I'm not sure why this bothered me more than the contrived romance, and yet ... it did. LOL

And YET ... I read through this book quickly and easily. Those silly little romance novels; they always suck me in! :-P

[Kym McNabney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and I wasn't impressed. The story line was good, but it was lacking in dept of the characters. I didn't feel there were enough emotional encounters between the two. I also felt there was far too much telling and not enough showing. I almost stopped reading around page 80, but pushed on. In the end, it was okay, just not great. She could have done so much more with it. But hey, even the best of writers, have a not so good book.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a book that precedes this: matchmaker matchmaker.

I have not read it and did not know until the end of this one.

I enjoy reading books that continue the different characters in the books.

[Zarrel Noza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, for a romantic story,I can consider this as a good one. It is not the kind of romantic story where the characters did.nothing but kiss and make out. This.is the type of story that you can really call a 'love' story 'cause it indeed tells a story about real love [if tbere's such q thing]

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I liked the characters and the situation that she had to deal with.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I've read it three times!!!

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll agree with the fluffy statement. A couple weeks later, I don't remember much. The New Year's Eve events seemed contrived and a little far fetched. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Donna Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is my second "inspirational romance" book I've read. I didn't enjoy it as much but the story was nice and though lacking in some places I believe God can bless anyone who reads it.

[Rita]

Planning a desert wedding was an interesting plot.

[Tausha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy. Story line was ok but truly there wasn't much to it. Clean an quick read, but without much substance.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AWSM!!!!I love how he proposes its sooo romantic!!!:)