The Texan's Unexpected Home: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance – A Small Town Cowboy Story of Love and Restoration

by Jolene Navarro

A tragedy brought him home.
Will love make him stay?

After losing everything in a devastating fire, racehorse trainer Kingston Zayas returns to his family’s ranch to claim his inheritance…and learns that he must first live there for a year. The only silver lining? Single mom Abigail DeLeon, the ranch’s event planner, and her energetic son, Leo. But Abigail’s family wants nothing to do with any Zayas. Forced to work together, they unravel a tangle of secrets that changes everything Kingston thought he knew about his family—and most important, where he belongs…

From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

The Ranchers of Rio Bella

Book 1: The Texan's Unexpected Home

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Living in the Texas Hill Country, with her four children, Jolene’s life, much like the stories she writes, is filled with faith, family, football, art, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life's wonderful messiness.

Jolene knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart-breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that long kisses and dancing in the rain never gets old.

Reviews

[Sheila]

Good characters and story.

[Tina]

What a great story. There’s family drama and angst, life challenges, determination to do what is right, with faith underlying all of it. My heart just about broke for Kingston because of what he experienced as a child. Ms. Navarro truly understands people, their emotions, and the impact of life’s experiences from a young age. The descriptions in the book allowed for a movie to play in my head while I read. I stayed up until 2 am on a work night to finish the book when I was supposed to be sleeping. I love stories with cowboys, family and faith, and can’t wait for the next one. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tracy]

I’ve read most of Jolene Navarro’s books and this one is my favorite so far. It was cozy and made me feel like I was reading about a town near and dear to my heart. Because I live in the Texas hill country, I could visualize the ranches and town businesses so clearly. It was fun to think I may have been in the town just like Rio Bella. Great job, Jolene! This one felt like home 💙

[Elaine Applebury]

What a special read. Jolene Navarro writes a book full of heart with well developed characters, a great storyline, and a satisfying ending! This book contains cowboys, an adorable child, rescue animals,a family feud, and life changing secrets! We can think we have our life all mapped out, but sometimes God has a different plan.
Kingston Zayas and his partner are all set to train race horses until a fire destroys the barn and apartment. Kingston returns to the family ranch to see how to claim his inheritance, but the three that are to inherit must live on the ranch for a year.
Abigail DeLeon is working for the Zayas as an event planner. However, the Zayas and the DeLeon families have nothing to do with one another. The feud has been going on for years! As Abigail and Kingston grow closer, her family is more determined to keep them apart, until a near tragedy.

[Karen Torrance]

I am not good at reviews. I just know what I like and I love this book. Again Jolene Navarro is one of my favorite authors

[Elaine.]

Lots of family interaction

[Joann]

First book of a new series. I'm looking forward to the next ones

[Rosemarie Grainer]

Great introduction to the Ranchers of Rio Bella

Kingston Zayas is back on the ranch he partially inherited for only a brief time. Then he meets Abigail DeLeon and her son Leo. Abigail is the events coordinator at the ranch even though her family has been fighting with the Zayas family for 30 years. But Abigail doesn't trust men anymore, and Kingston is not planning on staying, so they should be fine working together briefly. But Kingston is a better man than she expected. Now what is she to do? Read this to find out.

The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some action and very few kisses only. The characters are vibrant and endearing. The Christian ideals are present in the story. This is a great introduction to Rio Bella. Book 2 is a part of the K-9 Companions series. Enjoy this cowboy, ranching, Christian romance.

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Western Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
The Ranchers of Rio Bella (Book #1)

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Western Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
The Ranchers of Rio Bella (Book #1)

[Dori D]

Loved it. Such a great story. New beginnings with love and family.

[Threasa Champagne]

This was terrible and I just couldn't finish it.