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Orphan Cowboy: A Classic Western Adventure

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In the heart of Texas, an unexpected legacy shapes one man’s destiny.

Lee Edward Holt, raised in the embrace of Our Lady of Mercy Orphanage, cherishes the only home he’s ever known. Unaware of his true parentage, he thrives within the familiar walls of his upbringing—until he uncovers a shocking truth.

Stepping into the vast expanse of Kerr County, Texas, the discovered existence of Lee Edward’s biological family awakens in him a sense of belonging. With a living mother and the late owner of Long Trail Ranch revealed as his father, he inherits an expansive 85,000-acre ranch alongside his stepsister, Mary Beth Hunter.

When a neighboring ranch threatens their land, Lee Edward takes it upon himself to partake in a daring cattle drive to save his family’s legacy. And in a breathtaking twist of events, he ends up on a perilous balloon flight, facing challenges that test the very fabric of his Texan spirit.

Will Lee Edward’s newfound love and the bonds forged on Long Trail Ranch be enough to conquer the challenges that lie ahead, or will this orphan cowboy’s legacy slip through his fingers once and for all?

Grab your copy of this classic western adventure today!

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2024

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About the author

Robert Vaughan

455 books139 followers
Robert Vaughan is an American writer. He has also written a series of contemporary and historical romance novels under several pseudonyms including "Paula Moore" and "Paula Fairman". His father served in the military and Robert followed him in the 1950s, entering army aviation. He served until the Vietnam War and won numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with several oak-leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, and several other medals.
His early books reflected his military background: the first novel was about the US Army along the DMZ in Korea, followed by a trilogy set in Vietnam. There are more than 9 million of his books in print under various names. He was inducted into the Writers’ Hall of Fame in 1998.

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5 stars
927 (65%)
4 stars
348 (24%)
3 stars
100 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,649 reviews63 followers
January 30, 2024
Hey there, book lovers; I certainly have an excellent treat for you today!

I'm so excited to share with you the latest book from one of my favorite authors, Robert Vaughan. His new book, 'Orphan Cowboy,' is a captivating story of love, family, and courage set in the wild west. It follows the life of Lee Edward Holt, who was abandoned by his mother at Our Lady of Mercy Orphanage when he was a baby. He never knew who his mother or father were until his father died. Lee Edward was contacted by a man he had seen afew times at the orphanage and requested that he had a surprise for him if Lee Edward would spend just a few days with him. After a meeting at a lawyer's office, he found out who his father was and that he had left him and a stepsister, whom he had never met, an 85,000-acre ranch. Now he not only has to learn how to run the ranch, earn the respect of the cowhands, get along with a disgruntled stepbrother (who thought he was inheriting the ranch), develop a relationship with his stepmother and stepsister, oh AND deal with the threats from a greedy neighbor who wants his newly acquired ranch.

This book touched my heart in so many ways. It made me cry, laugh, and cheer for Lee Edward and his stepsister, Mary Beth. They have such a sweet and genuine relationship, plus they have to face many challenges together. Robert Vaughan writes with such passion and skill that I felt like I was there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows. His characters are so realistic and likable that I wanted to be friends with them. I couldn't stop reading this book! If you're looking for a book that will warm your heart and make you feel good, you should definitely read 'Orphan Cowboy.' It's a masterpiece that you'll love!

• ASIN: B0CS94TSF5
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 1/30/2024
• File Size: 3583 KB
• Print Length: 295 pages
• Genre: Classic Action & Adventure Louis L'Amour Westerns Men's Adventure Fiction
1,413 reviews13 followers
February 8, 2024
This exciting series of ongoing adventures will definitely keep anyone turning pages!

Most definitely another five star masterpiece by one of my most favorite Authors! This page turner will definitely appease anyone's desired expectations from the very first paragraph, and each new endeavor is more compelling than the previous one!
Some of the most endearing storylines I have been privileged to follow, and I have read a few over the years. You will definitely keep turning pages as this fast moving series of excitement will appease anyone's desired expectations, cover to cover! No slowdowns throughout the entire series of unending adventures! As always, this Author's uncanny selection of characters will appease anyone's desired expectations! This exciting series of ongoing adventures just gets better with each new endeavor, and the fascinatingly results jyst gets better with each new endeavor!
Most definitely recommend this compelling series of ongoing events to all readers, regardless of your normal desired reading pleasures! This is definitely another page turner, as the ongoing events are certainly worthy of anyone's time, regardless of your normal desired reading pleasures!!!😃
Profile Image for FredM2.
319 reviews3 followers
February 11, 2024
The story starts out with a week old baby being placed in a Nun's hands and the new mother running off. Sister Maria is tasked with the raising of the infant and seeing as he had no name she named him after her father, Lee Edward Holt. Lee edward grew into a fine strong boy and at the age of sixteen was given $20 by the Mother Superior along with many sheets of paper with job offerings. Lee edward went to the Marathon Ranch to become a cowboy. He is well liked and learns to be the best cowboy on the ranch. After about ten years Linus Walker foreman for the Long Trail ranch arrives and asks Lee Edward to go with him for about a week but won't tell him why. He does say that it will be well worth Lee Edwards benefit.
Not to give away the plot it is to Lee Edwards benefit and vastly changes his life. It was a very different story line and kept my attention throughout the while book. I really enjoyed the change of plot.
34 reviews
January 24, 2026
Best western I have read in a long time. It has everything you could hope to read about an old west book including good looking ladies, orphans, cowboys, love, revenge, ambushes, cattle drives, crooked ranchers, gun fights, nuns, family reunions, and even hot air balloons. The heros weren't unrealisticlly repeatedly shot, cut or beat up. Kudos to Robert Vaughn for a well written, well developed, and thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
Profile Image for John Lawless.
50 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2024
A great book a relaxing read!

I found this book to very hard to put down and when I finished it I was disappointed that there is a continuation of the characters.
This is a book I would recommend without any reservation, I will let my12 year old son enjoy it without any reservation!
532 reviews5 followers
February 7, 2024
A great read

A very entertaining story that was rather unique. The tale takes you on a fast-paced, action packed adventure that doesn't slow down. The totally unexpected ending put the icing on the cake. A truly great read.
Profile Image for Connie Skief.
911 reviews5 followers
February 11, 2024
Very interesting story

It's a sad beginning and a beautiful ending. Left at an orphanage at a week old. Smothered by a nun. Then the whole story comes out when he is summoned to a reading of a will. Recommended for all readers.
Profile Image for Joe Buesgen.
17 reviews
March 5, 2024
typical of author Vaughan…great story line

Had fun reading and following the lead characters as they developed into friends and adversaries! Would be fun to follow this up with a sequel!
2 reviews
April 17, 2024
Romance filled with adventure

Lovely detail of a time forgotten. Roman
ce and a love for a time of yesterday.

I recommend highly when one has time to curl up and be lost into a time forgotten
25 reviews
April 17, 2024
Goat Creek Road

It is a great read. I have spent much time in San Antonio and Kerrville. Have family there. And have been down Goat Creek Rd many times. Thank you Robert for such a fine, enjoyable book, it is a really good one. Thank you.
Profile Image for Danny Grant.
3 reviews
October 20, 2024
Great read, as are all Petit books

I've read all Petit books and enjoy the values he expressed, his character development, and storyline. I've always like following the great adventure in these books. Thank you CJ Petit.
6 reviews
February 19, 2025
Very enjoyable Resd

Very good read. !iked the intro to Christianity. Looking forward to another nook by Robert Vaughan. Scotch hobbling a wild horse is the best way to work them Broke a few mustang in the 70's
552 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2025
Good Guys verses Bad Guys

Always good when the story keeps moving and the adventure just keeps giving, thanks Robert Vaughan.

The book had twists I didn’t expect, loved the imagination of author to find a new game changer.

I’ll be watching for more books from Vaughan.
53 reviews
May 5, 2026
Excellent!

All of Robert Vaughan's books are excellent. He is especially good with describing the personalities of the people he writes about - so one feels like they had known them.
5 reviews
May 14, 2026
Didn't want to put the book down once I started!

This is a very interesting read, as it kept me in the here and now. It never pulled me back into modern times versus the old west. Everything had me right in the story at allvtimes.
Profile Image for Mike Bradford.
362 reviews
February 4, 2024
great read

This was a very interesting read the author keeps the story going from beginning to end. Great characters in the book
I would recommend this book
7 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2024
Loved it!!!

Was so excitingly could not put it down! Loved the plot, was on the edge of my seat the whole time!! Keep writing books like this!
By
547 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2024
Nice

Action, romance and more action but it all came together. Read a good book and well thought out and written also
209 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2024
Orphan Cowboy

This was truly an exceptional Book from page 1! Enjoyed it all the way through to the end, love all the action and suspense, but the Romance was the best.
108 reviews1 follower
Read
May 7, 2024
Wonderful story

Very good story and the idea of how to catch the dirty rotten guy was great. I would like to read another.
2 reviews
September 12, 2024
Great story

This book has been a very good read and I think that this writer has done a wonderful job of bringing all of the characters together.
Author 1 book
January 22, 2025
Excellent writing and great story!

Lee Edward Holt is a heck of a cowboy and even with a rough start he always moves forward. I hope there's more to come.
Profile Image for bobbi look.
1 review1 follower
May 31, 2025
Review

Great read ! Every.book I've read so far has been great and being from El Paso Brings back good memories
30 reviews
June 20, 2026
New name new life

It was very interesting to read this story. The characters were different in the origins.
THE storyline held up even with detailed
E xp!anations.
Profile Image for Walker G.
122 reviews
January 9, 2026
OUTSTANDING !!! I couldn't put it down. It was foremost on my mind, even while cooking, cleaning, eating, and trying to live life. This was all consuming, and I wanted it to go on forever.

I loved some of the old Robert Vaughan movies, especially "The Magnificent Seven," but I never knew Mr. Vaughan was such an excellent writer. I will be back for more!!

This book held me from the first paragraph through the last paragraph. The plot is excellent and will keep you turning the pages. It's somewhat of a short book so there isn't a lot of detailed 'fluff' to be bored with. The 'hero' character is dropped off at a religious orphanage right after birth and lives his first sixteen years there, so that is the slowest part of the book. From there on, he chooses to try his hand at ranching, accepting a job as a ranch hand, and from there, hang onto your ten gallon hat as the 'cowboy-ing' starts the dust rolling from there and it moves fast. I loved it. Great plot. Great action. A little romance and a wonderful, feel good ending. Thank you, Robert Vaughan. RIP

I highly recommend this for any fans of westerns and feel good stories of humanity. I am certainly going to add more of Mr. Vaughan's work into my library. I think you should too!!! wlg

...comments welcome, ... ?? if we can still do that any longer... ???
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews