Fair Valley Refuge

The Shepherd's Heart #3

by Lynnette Bonner

She’s loved him for as long as she can remember.
But can she trust her heart to a man haunted by constant danger?

Shiloh, Oregon, April 1887

Victoria Snyder, adopted when she was only days old, pastes on a smile for her mama’s wedding day, but inside she’s all atremble. Lawman Rocky Jordan is back home. And this time he’s got a bullet hole in his shoulder and enough audacity to come calling. Since tragedy seems to strike those she cares for with uncanny frequency, she wants nothing to do with a man who could be killed in the line of duty like her father.

But when an orphan-train arrives at the Salem depot, Victoria is irresistibly drawn toward the three remaining “unlovable” children…and stunned by a proposal that will change all of their lives forever.

Can she risk her heart, and her future happiness, on someone she might lose at a moment’s notice?

Two stubborn hearts. A most unusual proposal. Persevering love.
Step into a day when outlaws ran free, the land was wild, and guns blazed at the drop of a hat.

Genres: Christian, Historical, Romance, Clean Romance, Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2012

About the author

LYNNETTE BONNER, the daughter of missionaries, was born and raised in Malawi, Africa, graduated high school from Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school in Kenya, and attended Northwest University in Washington, where she met her husband, Marty. A few years after their marriage, they moved to Pierce, Idaho. While studying the history of their little town, Lynnette was inspired to begin The Shepherd’s Heart Series with Rocky Mountain Oasis.
Marty and Lynnette have four children and currently live in Washington, where Marty pastors a church.

Reviews

[Valerie McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair Valley Refuge did not disappoint! It was good to have some familiar characters from the earlier stories in this Shepherd's Heart series and then move forward with a very satisfying read into the detailed life of Victoria Snyder. The layer of complicated interest with a dramatic adoption piece woven in struck home as I compared our family adoption story to theirs. Pioneer life was uncertain at best, and with parents unable to care for children for any number of reasons, I think Lynnette Bonner made a great choice to include this real life social concern in her already compelling presentation of how things might have been in the early Oregon days of staking claims and homesteading the land.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, deep, and soul-satisfying!

We meet the Jordan family again but this time is the younger brother Rocky who appears in the first two installments gets his HEA.
Rocky and Victoria have loved each other since school but never allowed themselves to dive into the love and family fully till circumstances change and require them to grasp the love.
More than that though, the story shows the goodness of God and His faithfulness guidance even when we don’t know what and why He’s making us go through valleys. Victoria deals with feelings of abandonment and worthlessness, lack of faith in God’s love. The themes of adoption, loss, and hardships of life are ever present. Again, the author gently and carefully points to God as she unravels the difficult life issues.
The story is a page-turner with enough suspense, drama, romance, and oh so much more.

[Debbie Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about Orphan trains and life in the west and this book includes both interwoven by Bonner into a delightful mystery. I was touched greatly by the theme of having "A table prepared before me in the presence of my enemies ". It is so easy to get our eyes on the troubles of this wold and miss the blessings before us, Bonner does an excellent job of showing how to do that through this story.

[Megan McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria has loved Rocky since she was 13 years old. She never thought he would marry her let alone feel the same way as her. But their whirlwind wedding to save the three children seems like a good idea. Except can she open her heart that has already be hurt by another law man being injured. When some one comes to town whose first name is trouble she realizes just how blessed she was. Will God spare the one who she loves so she can never take him for granted again?

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! The story was interesting and had excitement, drama and some surprises before coming to the conclusion. Including the orphans in the story made it more interesting! I highly recommend reading this book!

[Karen Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet romance, mystery with an interesting twist. Enjoyed reading it as it is the 3rd book in a 4 book series. So obviously the focus has two main characters with similar characters adding to the story.

[tim hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

Filled with prayers, good people, twists n turns, and some evil. Good prevails. It was hard to put down. Glad there's one to follow

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Wow, the books just keep getting better. I love Lynnette Bonner stories. Such a sweet romance and a sweet message of faith and trust. Highly recommended.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a sweet orphan story and a marriage of convenience- this delivers both

[Juanita J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love following the same family through out the series.

[Moreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the Shepherd's Heart Series

[Benita M. Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

I found this story very entertaining. I like the way the author blends in the new couple with the previous ones. I like how the story lines are written.

[Cherri Boren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!!
Love to see greedy people get their comeupins
The forgiveness is such a Blessing
Lynette Bonner knows how to deliver a great story

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet friends-to-marriage-of-convenience story as Victoria desperately tries to save orphans and her old friend steps in to help..through the security of marriage.

[Bethany Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria and Rocky have been meant for each other for as long as they each can remember. Only problem being, Victoria can not risk loving Rocky. Rocky is a law man and after her father's death it is far too painful to face loosing another man in her life.

A pivotal rescue of 3 orphans and an unplanned wedding later, Victoria finds herself in the middle of her dream family. Surrounded by people who love her, the mystery of her adoption begins to unfold. A locket, rag doll and ship lead her to the woman who has loved and protected her all of her life. Evil lurking nearby will try to change all of that.

Who is Victoria really? And, why will a con man risk everything to be with her?

I have grown to love the Jordan family and Shiloh Valley. Each book in Ms. Bonner's series layers in more and more history. Soon you will feel a part of the family. I can't wait to see what comes next with Sharyah Jordan in book 4. My favorite is High Desert Haven and Fair Valley Refuge ties for second. Dive into this series! I read the book and have just finished the audio version.

[Michelle Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first two books in this series, I was curious to see how the narrative would bring Rocky and Victoria together. My curiosity was stirred further when I realized their tale would involve a marriage of circumstance. This story did not disappoint!

I like that, despite these characters having held strong feelings toward each other for years, it isn't until they throw their lot together in order to help some orphans that they truly begin to explore their love for one another. The children won my heart, and the more Victoria and Rocky took on the role of parent, the more I fell in love with them. Plus there were plenty of surprising twists and turns to keep me turning the pages.

A very satisfying read, and the romance was delightful. Another well-done story by Bonner.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

From pulling braids, putting frogs in lunch boxes and slates broken over a knee to working together to keep two orphaned sisters from being separated, Victoria and Rocky have shared a lot in their lifetime. This story was amazing and kept my attention from the start. It moved along quickly and was entertaining. It was a very well written story with a few surprises and plenty of lessons learned. You can't go wrong reading this third book in "The Shepherd's Heart" series. Lynnette Bonner did and amazing job on this story.

[Janalyn Voigt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of Lynnette Bonner's western romances. The romance between Rocky and Victoria touched my heart in a special way, and the young'uns in their care were pure joy to read about. The story is believable and well-ensconced in its setting. If you want an enjoyable adventure set in the Wild West, this is it!

Reviewed by Janalyn Voigt, author of DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven)

*My thanks to the author for a review copy of this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria is a amazing young lady. The way she was treated as a child because she was adopted is awful. Her parents were a blessing to her. When Rocky and her get together there life's change completely. The way they took in 3 orphans is remarkable. You will feel God working through out this book. You won't be able to stop reading it.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the description of this book does not do it justice. I debated skipping it altogether but decided to go ahead and give it a try since I figured the other characters I was more interested in would make appearances. I was very pleasantly surprised and am really glad I read this one.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story

I like this series a lot. There are a few grammatical/writing things amiss, but overall I love the tender romance without the crassness often found in modern novels. The characters are relatable and the strong themes of Faith and Family are uplifting.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite of the series; at the very least, its tied with book 1. LOVED Rocky. Hannah was a great secondary character. Looking forward to book 4 releasing next month.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second favorite of the series. I just loved Rocky and Ria and the book had such a sweet plot line. Loved these characters and their story.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 4.5 star - I am LOVING this series by Lynette Bonner!!! Can't WAIT to get my hands on the last one to finish the series!!! So good!! :)

[Virna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is good

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Hannah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

This book was great loved it and all the other ones in the series!!!!
I can't wait to read more of her books!!!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two friends marry to help save some orphans and fall in love. The third book in the Shepherd's Heart series. I enjoyed the suspense of this book, I wasn't expecting the way things ended. Well done.

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this book! It was faster than I expected. It was heart felt and true to the time, and feelings of the heart. Well written.

[Sherry Jolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars