The Cowboy's Homecoming (Love Inspired Larger Print) by Brenda Minton

Cowboy #8

by Brenda Minton

Excellent Book

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Christian Romance

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

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

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old ,broken-down, abandoned hundred year old church should not be all that Bethlehem has left for memories of her mother who died when she was ten ,but it is. Her childhood boyfriend, Jeremy is back in town and has the brilliant idea to bulldoze the church. When they are together again she fights memories of the times they had together before but she feels those old feelings resurfacing again. She tries to do everything she can do to block the destruction of the church. When Jeremy and Beth are at the church a tornado sweeps through town and a lot of buildings are destroyed. Fortunately the church is unscathed. The church is then set up as a shelter for the towns people and they are so appreciative. As the bulldozer is in front of the church ready for destruction, Beth steps in front of it and refuses to move. Does she get her way ? Will the church stay standing ? I think you'll enjoy reading The Cowboy's Homecoming and finding out !

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t bother finishing this book because of the tired trope of “small town life trumps big city life” at play here. Bethlehem (Beth) Bradshaw wants to save a 100-year-old church building that has fallen into disrepair but prodigal son Jeremy Hightree (Cooper) has other plans, namely, bulldozing it and repurposing it.

Beth does and stays stupid things throughout this book and it’s a wonder that Jeremy sees her as anything more than a nuisance. I am sick to death of reading books with heroines who are dumber than dirt. Read it only if you’re really bored.

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a big romance novel reader, especially Harlequin Romance, but this story was good. The inspiration series was not that bad. I liked the story a lot. Seemed more real, seemed like the guy was respectful of woman and treated them with respect and kindness instead of dragging them off to who knows where and take advantage of them.

[Sara Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good Christian love story!

[Shirley Hester]

Very good book. Hard to put down.

[Kat♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what you expect with an attractive man on the cover. Cheesy, maybe a bit drug out, definitely makes you cringe in some spots, but fun.

I got this book from my aunt, after I definitely poked fun at her for having it. However I took it, and after giving it a try for purely kicks and giggles, I actually really enjoyed it! While it isn't the deepest storyline, it does touch on some deep topics such as: Jeremy's family issues, Beth's abuse (and healing- and that healing meaning focusing on her faith and repairing her relationship and view of God after what her ex did) and natural disasters such as the tornado. I really loved Beth and Jeremy's storyline, I thought it was cute how they were kind of childhood sweethearts. Plus his proposal? Even cuter.

Overall- very sweet little love story to ease your mind, or kick back and read for a couple hours (since it's considerably short)!

[PATRICIA KUNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good book. Jeremy Hightower has come and purchased land with the church on it. The Back Street Church has been closed for a long time.

Beth Bradshaw want to keep the old church and is doing everything she can the to keep it.
A tornado comes through and the church becomes the shelter for those who need it.
Jeremy is still wanting to tear it down but after many things he realizes just how important it is.

He give is to Beth who turns it into a community center.

Jeremy comes back and realizes that he love Beth and she love him.
They end their marrige in the old Bible that she has. They love each other and that they can get through anything through that love and the help if the Lord

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a quick read. It is the story of Jeremy who was the town bad boy and left to be a rodeo star. Well, he was until he got hurt. Then he began rebuilding and selling custom motorcycles. Now he has returned back to Dawson and bought the old country church to build a manufacturing company on the land. However his old girl friend, Beth, does not want him to tear down the church and there the problems begin.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but then I like the author's writing, and I like a book I can read in a few hours. I usually enjoy books in the Love Inspired series because they avoid excessive profanity, avoid explicit sex scenes, and are warm, light, often funny stories. This novel is a story of returning home, accepting others and oneself and believing and trusting in oneself. It's a good read.

[Collie_whocanread · Rating 3 out of 5]

really well thought out book! I like how the characters progress throughout the story evenly, and the lore.
However, sometimes the details felt really out of place during some parts (As in randomly inserted here in a situation where they shouldn't exactly be)

But otherwise, a really good read, recommended :D

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Brenda Minton's books! I discovered her a short time ago and now I'm on a mission to read all her books. I've read 10 so far, too! She writes with such a depth of heart and her characters seem so real to the reader. I highly recommend this author and I am a forever fan!

[Debbie Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

the 2 main characters weere very likeable but their back stories were both very depressing. it doesnt make me want to read it again but if is a part of a long series by the author so it helps to read it. She also makes a lot of references to unknown story lines it is Not a good stand alone book

[Crystal Alexander-Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It touches on the emotions of real life hurt that some encounter in childhood and the pain and hurt those traumas can leave. It also touches on how painful experiences as an adult can transform who we’ve always been. Yet with trust, love and faith all can be conquered

[Major Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning. I love Christian/clean/church themed stories, and this one gave me all that. Two determined characters fighting over an old, neglected church. One to demolish it & the other to save it. Lots of events from their past leads to an interesting conclusion.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read about a local boy made good. He comes back to town to tear down a broken down old church bldg and how town people react to a building never used anymore. A girl he had known from youth fights to keep him for tearing the church down.

[Madalyn Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book eight in the Cowboy Series. An excellent series in Dawson, OK with the Cooper family. Brenda Minton teaches some good God truths in her stories.

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 5 because it didn't hold my interest.

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book....makes you want to live in Dawson and be friends with all the characters!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational romance. Jeremy and Bethlehem Hightree.

[Victoria daVinci · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tortured cowboy, an abused heroine, a natural disaster, and a good dose of laugh out loud humor make Brenda Minton’s latest book, The Cowboy’s Homecoming, a timely and entertaining romance. Minton’s gift for creating heroines who struggle to become self-reliant and heroes who strive to become better men is showcased in the story of Jeremy Hightree and Beth Bradshaw. Packed with plenty of action, topical issues, old friends and new possibilities, the book focuses on the themes of reawakened love, redemption and forgiveness. As a stand alone read, The Cowboy’s Homecoming, is an excellent page turner. As the transition book for the new Cooper Creek series, it made me want to know more about the Cooper family, the focus of Minton’s future stories. I am thankful Minton has a new stable full of cowboys for her readers to enjoy. Until then I will just reread The Cowboy’s Homecoming.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up reading the "Cooper Creek" series before reading "The Cowboy" series, so I was familiar with a lot of the townsfolk in Dawson. I had seen hints of Jeremy and Beth in the Coopers' stories, so I knew how the story would end, just not how it would play out.
I liked how Beth needed to learn to trust, and not just assume that even though Chance had hurt her, everyone else would (or might). I liked how Jeremy needed to let go of his anger at his mother, his father, and the circumstances in which he grew up. I liked that both of them made those needed changes and were able to move forward in God's plan for their lives.
Even though this is technically not the last book in "The Cowboy" series, I feel it was the best segue possible into the "Cooper Creek" series. I'm glad I read both series, and will definitely read more of Brenda Minton's work.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow.....I love how she thinks hes gonna take the church down and he was just gonna take down that tree and then he leaves without telling here,but he comes back of course after his co-wooker asks him who he left behind and if he needs to buy a ring!;) Over all it was AWSM..........:)

[Shamicka Burns]

It was the best book in read and you got in her books from the start . Me and my mom want to read all of her books in the Cowboy series.

[Deliasue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes place in Oklahoma where the prodigal son returns, but will he stay?

[Tammy Cable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in the series! Characters were strong, facing a challenge but never whiney about it! Not much about how God or their testimonies of him actually helped them through the challenge though.

[Janet Page]

very good