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Big Sky Cowboys #1
Wrangling the Cowboy's Heart
Love Under the Big Sky
Back home in Montana, free spirit Jodie McCauley plans to stay at her late father's ranch for just two months. Then she'll sell the Rocking M and head off on her next adventure. But first she'll have to take her beloved horses from wild to sellable. That means asking the boy she once loved for help. Finn Hicks is now a deputy sheriff and a horse trainer. Working so closely with Jodie, his feelings are suddenly resurfacing. But Finn remembers her as a wild child, not the family-oriented woman he's looking for. A second chance seems impossible, but is there still hope for the rugged cowboy and his first love?
Back home in Montana, free spirit Jodie McCauley plans to stay at her late father's ranch for just two months. Then she'll sell the Rocking M and head off on her next adventure. But first she'll have to take her beloved horses from wild to sellable. That means asking the boy she once loved for help. Finn Hicks is now a deputy sheriff and a horse trainer. Working so closely with Jodie, his feelings are suddenly resurfacing. But Finn remembers her as a wild child, not the family-oriented woman he's looking for. A second chance seems impossible, but is there still hope for the rugged cowboy and his first love?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 16, 2016
26 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Carolyne Aarsen
213 books726 followersEven with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 9, 2020
What a sweet story. Jodie comes home for her father's funeral and learns that, while he has bequeathed his ranch to her and her two sisters, they must each live there for two months before they can sell. Finn is still bitter over the way Jodie stood him up one summer and then cut him out of her life, but after his father died Jodie's father became a friend and mentor to him. Keith had a huge effect on both of their lives, but they saw completely different sides of him. Lots of angst and longing eventually wrapped up in an HEA.
December 26, 2022
HomiGAWSH, this drives me bonkers.
So this is book #1 in the Big Sky Cowboys series... but it's also book #4, because 'Big Sky Cowboys' is the sequel series to the 'Refuge Ranch' series. This means that while you're *TOLD* that you're starting a new series, there are SCADS of characters in this from previous books that you don't know and you're left wondering how it the heck you can be starting something so... in the middle of something else.
Well, that's why. And it's a gross disservice to the readers. And it really peeves me off.
In this book, we have lots of 'long ago, THIS happened, or almost happened, or was believed to have happened but didn't, or happened but you can't know about it... to the point where it gets REALLY old, really fast.
Long ago, Jodie watched her mom and dad fight, divorce, and break up. Her mom moved to the city with Jodie and her sisters, while her Dad stayed on the ranch and channeled Sam Elliot, only nasty. But only nasty to SOME people. Like, he's beats Jodie, but not her sisters, because 1) she's mouthy, 2) he believed she wasn't his, and 3) he has a temper. But then we're told he had DNA testing done, so he knows she's really his... because chrichun book and nobody dun evah had a 'kid' that t'ain't his kid and hadda deal with all dat when makin' th'kid his is easier.
UGH. And by the way, his 'DNA test' wouldn't work if he didn't have HER tested, too. There has to be DNA to match to, hello. GAH, the writing in these things...!!!!!
Anyhow, Daddy busted her butt for every little thing she didn't do, so she started doing things, since she was gonna get in trouble, anyhow. And Daddy wrecked her chances at a piano career by cutting the BACK OF her hand open with a bottle (!?!?)... NO!! I was a piano performance major at NMU, and sliced my finger wide open with a steak knife Sophomore year. You go in, get stitched up (which was fun, because they couldn't get the needle thru the callouses on my fingers), take it easy on that finger, but take the metal splint off and suck it up for performances, hello. A cut ON THE BACK of her hand? Wouldn't even phase her. Just no.
She also ended the relationship with Finn that her Daddy didn't want cuz'a Finn bein' "not good enough for her"... except Finn was a church goin', good grade getting, straight-as-an-arrow, no parties sweet kid, so that makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. Especially when Daddy then takes an abandoned Finn under his wing and becomes his mentor, treating HIM like a king.
NONE OF THIS JIVES.
Weirdly, when Finn's dad dies and mother abandons him, instead of taking Finn in himself, Daddy takes him to the Moore farm to be brought up. Why, when his daughters only lived there four months of the year, and didn't come back after the hand cutting thing... again...? Even if they had, Finn would've been a brother figure. It makes no sense that Daddy's lonely, but then drops the boy at another farm. ?????
Years later, Daddy's dying of cancer and spending all of his time at the diner writing on sheaf after sheaf of paper, day after day. Purportedly letters to his three girls, to apologize for sucking as a father. ??? Wouldn't the BETTER thing be to form a relationship with them, since 1) staying on the ranch has no point, at this juncture, 2) dying would probably be the impetus to bring action about, and 3) he's got major regrets? But no. He sits in a diner until he rolls his truck and dies. If the cancer don't getcha, the Ford will. (((sigh.))) Kind of like that Amish LI book I just read - if the fall from the tree didn't kill him, the branch that came down on him did. 'Love, Inspired' authors seems to like to overkill their characters. It's craziness.
So now Jodie's in town for two months, cuz Daddy's not-really-will says that the sisters each have to stay at the ranch two months to inherit. ((!?!?!??!??? NOT. REALLY. WILL. SERIOUSLY!?!)) And of the sisters, Jodie's the only one who can just ditch her life and do it, immediately - because nobody at her night clubs will mind if she doesn't show, anymore... is that it? I can't even. She doesn't even go home for CLOTHES... yet she has tons of unique outfits from Israel, Istanbul, India, and Indonesia with her - there must've been TRUNKS of items strapped to her car when she came in for the funeral...!!!
The horses are wild at the ranch, now, because even though Vic Moore is there working with them every day and Daddy only died a week ago, the author says BOTH cowboys just irrationally decided to NOT work with the horses or take care of them for the past two years, r'something. Why, we don't know. Mostly because Aarsen needs Finn - who's not only a deputy sheriff full-time but also a full-time horse trainer (and on the music board at church, and working with the Chamber of Commerce on a local Music festival- IN WHAT TIME?!?!?!)...
... wait where was I? Oh, Aarsen needs Finn to spend lots of time with Jodie re-training all of her horses, because he's the onliest, only, ONLY person in the town - no, county - no, STATE!!!- who isn't too busy to do it for her. (((((((SIGH!!!))))))
And his mum was supposed to come to town to play piano for a top billboard chrischun singer (who would have her OWN pianist already. In fact, in 2016, she'd have an ENTIRE BAND on hand)... for the music festival, but Mum's a flake and... WHY would anyone hire the flake, again? But they did, and now they're scrambling for a pianist, JUST WHEN Jodie *happens* to be in town - because convenient lollipop world of LI. So Jodie's gonna play piano for the supahstar singer.
And there's a baby grand at daddy's ranch where she's staying, but apparently she can't practice on it, and MUST do her piano playing at the church. Wh....??!??!?!?!?! WHY, again? So that there can be awkward with Brooke and snasties with Amy, and luvvzes with Finn?
The writing suffers HUGELY in this one, too. Aarsen has Jodie standing at the casket with a red rose, with Finn in the back of the crowd somewhere behind her, but she's also watching Finn the whole funeral service. She'd have to be FACING BACKWARDS for this to happen.
"Finn had turned from an appealing teen into a handsome man." This EXACT line is also in book #3 (I read them out of order). Wouldn't know it's repetitve and unimaginative if I hadn't read them back-to-back, but... ((sigh.))
Jodie on pg 25: "Google it and find out."
Jodie on pg 38: "The Internet? That complete waste of time?"
!?!!?!?!
How exactly does one mount a horse while holding a man's hand? (pg 117) Because I'm thinking that would make things REALLY difficult...
Pg 124: Jodie has always felt at home on the ranch. "Whenever she felt homesick, it was for the ranch, and not Knoxville." Except the ENTIRETY of book #3 talks about how the only sister who liked the ranch and rode out to enjoy the land was Erin... so... ?????
PG 124: Finn heard about Jodie's extensive travels from her dad. How is that possible, if she cut ties with him after the cut hand incident?
Pg 135: Finn is doing decorations for the concert with Brooke. Then he isn't, and they don't have anyone to do decorations with Brooke, so OF COURSE they need Jodie to do decorations with Brooke. And OF COURSE Brooke's ideas suck, so Jodie's are awesomest of all awesomes...
It was just badly done. And I'm in desperate need of a four-star to temper some of the one and two star LI books I've been chucking (and ripping up, and burning) lately... and I'm just not getting one from Aarsen.
I'll read #2, but I'm not looking forward to it.
It's just to get this series out of the house.
So this is book #1 in the Big Sky Cowboys series... but it's also book #4, because 'Big Sky Cowboys' is the sequel series to the 'Refuge Ranch' series. This means that while you're *TOLD* that you're starting a new series, there are SCADS of characters in this from previous books that you don't know and you're left wondering how it the heck you can be starting something so... in the middle of something else.
Well, that's why. And it's a gross disservice to the readers. And it really peeves me off.
In this book, we have lots of 'long ago, THIS happened, or almost happened, or was believed to have happened but didn't, or happened but you can't know about it... to the point where it gets REALLY old, really fast.
Long ago, Jodie watched her mom and dad fight, divorce, and break up. Her mom moved to the city with Jodie and her sisters, while her Dad stayed on the ranch and channeled Sam Elliot, only nasty. But only nasty to SOME people. Like, he's beats Jodie, but not her sisters, because 1) she's mouthy, 2) he believed she wasn't his, and 3) he has a temper. But then we're told he had DNA testing done, so he knows she's really his... because chrichun book and nobody dun evah had a 'kid' that t'ain't his kid and hadda deal with all dat when makin' th'kid his is easier.
UGH. And by the way, his 'DNA test' wouldn't work if he didn't have HER tested, too. There has to be DNA to match to, hello. GAH, the writing in these things...!!!!!
Anyhow, Daddy busted her butt for every little thing she didn't do, so she started doing things, since she was gonna get in trouble, anyhow. And Daddy wrecked her chances at a piano career by cutting the BACK OF her hand open with a bottle (!?!?)... NO!! I was a piano performance major at NMU, and sliced my finger wide open with a steak knife Sophomore year. You go in, get stitched up (which was fun, because they couldn't get the needle thru the callouses on my fingers), take it easy on that finger, but take the metal splint off and suck it up for performances, hello. A cut ON THE BACK of her hand? Wouldn't even phase her. Just no.
She also ended the relationship with Finn that her Daddy didn't want cuz'a Finn bein' "not good enough for her"... except Finn was a church goin', good grade getting, straight-as-an-arrow, no parties sweet kid, so that makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. Especially when Daddy then takes an abandoned Finn under his wing and becomes his mentor, treating HIM like a king.
NONE OF THIS JIVES.
Weirdly, when Finn's dad dies and mother abandons him, instead of taking Finn in himself, Daddy takes him to the Moore farm to be brought up. Why, when his daughters only lived there four months of the year, and didn't come back after the hand cutting thing... again...? Even if they had, Finn would've been a brother figure. It makes no sense that Daddy's lonely, but then drops the boy at another farm. ?????
Years later, Daddy's dying of cancer and spending all of his time at the diner writing on sheaf after sheaf of paper, day after day. Purportedly letters to his three girls, to apologize for sucking as a father. ??? Wouldn't the BETTER thing be to form a relationship with them, since 1) staying on the ranch has no point, at this juncture, 2) dying would probably be the impetus to bring action about, and 3) he's got major regrets? But no. He sits in a diner until he rolls his truck and dies. If the cancer don't getcha, the Ford will. (((sigh.))) Kind of like that Amish LI book I just read - if the fall from the tree didn't kill him, the branch that came down on him did. 'Love, Inspired' authors seems to like to overkill their characters. It's craziness.
So now Jodie's in town for two months, cuz Daddy's not-really-will says that the sisters each have to stay at the ranch two months to inherit. ((!?!?!??!??? NOT. REALLY. WILL. SERIOUSLY!?!)) And of the sisters, Jodie's the only one who can just ditch her life and do it, immediately - because nobody at her night clubs will mind if she doesn't show, anymore... is that it? I can't even. She doesn't even go home for CLOTHES... yet she has tons of unique outfits from Israel, Istanbul, India, and Indonesia with her - there must've been TRUNKS of items strapped to her car when she came in for the funeral...!!!
The horses are wild at the ranch, now, because even though Vic Moore is there working with them every day and Daddy only died a week ago, the author says BOTH cowboys just irrationally decided to NOT work with the horses or take care of them for the past two years, r'something. Why, we don't know. Mostly because Aarsen needs Finn - who's not only a deputy sheriff full-time but also a full-time horse trainer (and on the music board at church, and working with the Chamber of Commerce on a local Music festival- IN WHAT TIME?!?!?!)...
... wait where was I? Oh, Aarsen needs Finn to spend lots of time with Jodie re-training all of her horses, because he's the onliest, only, ONLY person in the town - no, county - no, STATE!!!- who isn't too busy to do it for her. (((((((SIGH!!!))))))
And his mum was supposed to come to town to play piano for a top billboard chrischun singer (who would have her OWN pianist already. In fact, in 2016, she'd have an ENTIRE BAND on hand)... for the music festival, but Mum's a flake and... WHY would anyone hire the flake, again? But they did, and now they're scrambling for a pianist, JUST WHEN Jodie *happens* to be in town - because convenient lollipop world of LI. So Jodie's gonna play piano for the supahstar singer.
And there's a baby grand at daddy's ranch where she's staying, but apparently she can't practice on it, and MUST do her piano playing at the church. Wh....??!??!?!?!?! WHY, again? So that there can be awkward with Brooke and snasties with Amy, and luvvzes with Finn?
The writing suffers HUGELY in this one, too. Aarsen has Jodie standing at the casket with a red rose, with Finn in the back of the crowd somewhere behind her, but she's also watching Finn the whole funeral service. She'd have to be FACING BACKWARDS for this to happen.
"Finn had turned from an appealing teen into a handsome man." This EXACT line is also in book #3 (I read them out of order). Wouldn't know it's repetitve and unimaginative if I hadn't read them back-to-back, but... ((sigh.))
Jodie on pg 25: "Google it and find out."
Jodie on pg 38: "The Internet? That complete waste of time?"
!?!!?!?!
How exactly does one mount a horse while holding a man's hand? (pg 117) Because I'm thinking that would make things REALLY difficult...
Pg 124: Jodie has always felt at home on the ranch. "Whenever she felt homesick, it was for the ranch, and not Knoxville." Except the ENTIRETY of book #3 talks about how the only sister who liked the ranch and rode out to enjoy the land was Erin... so... ?????
PG 124: Finn heard about Jodie's extensive travels from her dad. How is that possible, if she cut ties with him after the cut hand incident?
Pg 135: Finn is doing decorations for the concert with Brooke. Then he isn't, and they don't have anyone to do decorations with Brooke, so OF COURSE they need Jodie to do decorations with Brooke. And OF COURSE Brooke's ideas suck, so Jodie's are awesomest of all awesomes...
It was just badly done. And I'm in desperate need of a four-star to temper some of the one and two star LI books I've been chucking (and ripping up, and burning) lately... and I'm just not getting one from Aarsen.
I'll read #2, but I'm not looking forward to it.
It's just to get this series out of the house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2023
Different people can have different perceptions of the same person. Jodie sees her father as a strict and abusive man; Finn sees him as a mentor who was kind to him. Sadly, though Jodie tried to tell her sisters and aunt about what happened with her father, they didn't believe her. Eventually, Jodie decided if she was going to be blamed for doing something she didn't really do, she might as well do what she was accused of. It also affected her self-worth, making her think she wasn't good enough.
Because she wasn't believed, Jodie gave up on explaining the abuse--even when it cost her an audition. Jodie ends up keeping many secrets to herself. This seems to keep her aloof from other people. Technically, the title probably should have been wrangling the pianist's heart since it seems Finn had to do more of the wrangling of Jodie than Jodie had to do of him.
I liked Jodie getting to play for Mandie Parker's concert but I did wonder if Mandie was going to ask Jodie to go on tour with her and what that would mean for Jodie and Finn and/or if Mandie would pave the way for Jodie to have a career of her own, and again, what that would mean for Jodie and Finn long-term. Will Lauren and/or Erin keep their 2 month commitment at the ranch? What happens to the ranch after that? Will Vic get it as he'd thought or will Finn and Jodie keep it even though Finn has his own spread? Or will one of the other sisters want it.Somehow I figure the sisters will find love in Saddlebrook also.
Because she wasn't believed, Jodie gave up on explaining the abuse--even when it cost her an audition. Jodie ends up keeping many secrets to herself. This seems to keep her aloof from other people. Technically, the title probably should have been wrangling the pianist's heart since it seems Finn had to do more of the wrangling of Jodie than Jodie had to do of him.
I liked Jodie getting to play for Mandie Parker's concert but I did wonder if Mandie was going to ask Jodie to go on tour with her and what that would mean for Jodie and Finn and/or if Mandie would pave the way for Jodie to have a career of her own, and again, what that would mean for Jodie and Finn long-term. Will Lauren and/or Erin keep their 2 month commitment at the ranch? What happens to the ranch after that? Will Vic get it as he'd thought or will Finn and Jodie keep it even though Finn has his own spread? Or will one of the other sisters want it.Somehow I figure the sisters will find love in Saddlebrook also.
May 30, 2024
Jodie is back in Montana for her father’s funeral. She had a rocky relationship with her father, but the town only saw the good in him. Due to the conditions of the will, Jodie needs to stay at the ranch for two months before they can sell the ranch. Finn became a deputy sheriff because of his admiration for Jodie’s father, who was a mentor and father figure. Even though Finn has moved on, he would like answers on why Jodie broke up with him and avoided him the last summer of high school ten years ago. Her father’s horses are too wild to sell. Jodie agrees to be an accompanist at a church charity concert in exchange for Finn training the horses. Jodie made some mistakes as a teen and some people in town still think of her as a ‘wild’ girl. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love that the story is told both by Jodie’s and Finn’s point of view. This really pulled me in to the story and I can feel their emotions. Both Jodie and Finn have to deal with their individual pasts and see beyond their memories of it. This is a wonderful Christian second chance romance.
August 15, 2024
I loved this second chance romance between Jodie and Finn, They dated in high school but have been separated for a decade after Jodie left with no explanation to Finn. She is home now for her Dad's funeral and due to the will she has to stay at the ranch for two months before the place can be sold. Finn stayed and became a deputy sheriff for the town and trains horses on the side. When Jodie finds out that her horses need training before they can be sold, she asks Finn to do it. In return, he asks her to play the piano for a singer at their church festival. During Jodie's stay, she and Finn renew their romance and what happened in the past is revealed and forgiven, and Jodie renews her belief in God. I highly recommend this book as a clean Christian second chance romance. The characters are likeable. This is my voluntary and honest review.
June 19, 2024
This faith-based second chance romance pulled me right in from the beginning as Jodie returns home following a long absence to attend her father's funeral. She appears to be a thoughtless and irresponsible daughter but she harbors secrets that have left her bitter and have kept her away. Finn, her former love, has stayed to make a life for himself in their hometown and he is irresistibly drawn to Jodie even though he wants to keep his distance. I loved how they reconciled, rebuilt their friendship, and eventually fell in love again. This story dealt with themes of grace and forgiveness and touches on the heavy topic of physical abuse. It is intense but ends on a positive note. I received a complimentary copy from the author. This voluntary review contains my honest opinions.
May 28, 2024
Fabulous! Keep those tissues handy, you're going to need them! Finn loved Jodie, but things didn't work out the first time - for many reasons he never knew. She's returned and now he has to decide if he wants another shot. And will she stick around for it if he does? Such a great story of faith and redemption and healing. Loved it!
January 27, 2022
Trusting life…….
Great book, and Carolyne Aarsen has a way of sharing her words to help give the reader a lot of life to life to really want to live…… cowboys and a great belief in our Lord…… good together….
Great book, and Carolyne Aarsen has a way of sharing her words to help give the reader a lot of life to life to really want to live…… cowboys and a great belief in our Lord…… good together….
September 9, 2019
It's a good book.
October 14, 2020
Great read!
September 16, 2023
A joy to read the story of Jodie and Finn. Their path to their HEA was long but necessary considering each of their histories.
June 12, 2024
Jodie and Finn are some wonderful characters that touched my heart. They have both experienced and are still experiencing some life changing and hurtful events. I loved seeing them change and grow individually and really communicate with each other. Looking forward to book 2.
May 7, 2016
The Big Sky Cowboys series is a spin off of the author last Love Inspired Series, Refuge Ranch. The father was seen throughout that series in the cafe writing. It was noted he had three daughters who weren't interested in the ranch, leaving their ailing father alone.
This series, I'm sure, will concentrate on the three daughters. The first daughter, Jodie, was seen as a trouble maker when she was younger. But she carries scars from her life with her father - and secrets she is afraid will bust the image of her dear father wide-open. Before leaving town years ago, she managed to break the heart of Finn Hicks.
Finn is now a deputy sheriff and horse trainer. He mourns the loss of his dear friend, Jodie's father, and isn't sure about having Jodie back for a couple months. While there, the town could use her help. But some people just can't forget how "bad" she was.
My heart broke for Jodie and her trouble past, and for Finn having to lose the perfect image of a man he thought was so great. I hope the other two books reveal more of this troubled man - their father.
The romance was okay. It didn't sell me...I thought it took a backseat to the main story.
This series, I'm sure, will concentrate on the three daughters. The first daughter, Jodie, was seen as a trouble maker when she was younger. But she carries scars from her life with her father - and secrets she is afraid will bust the image of her dear father wide-open. Before leaving town years ago, she managed to break the heart of Finn Hicks.
Finn is now a deputy sheriff and horse trainer. He mourns the loss of his dear friend, Jodie's father, and isn't sure about having Jodie back for a couple months. While there, the town could use her help. But some people just can't forget how "bad" she was.
My heart broke for Jodie and her trouble past, and for Finn having to lose the perfect image of a man he thought was so great. I hope the other two books reveal more of this troubled man - their father.
The romance was okay. It didn't sell me...I thought it took a backseat to the main story.
March 12, 2016
Wrangling The Cowboy's Heart by Carolyne Aarsen a Big Sky Cowboys series. Jodie McCauley returns to her home town after her father's death. She has two sisters. Jodie was the wild one in the family. She is saying it's because of not getting along with her father. In his will it says the girls have to live at the ranch for two months before they can sell it and inherit the ranch and sell it. Jodie use to date Finn Hicks who is now a deputy sheriff. He also train horses. Jodie has Finn train her horses so she can sell them and leave town. Things happen between the two of them. A good read.
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March 10, 2016"The issues of deep-seeded resentment and family scars may be identifiable for some readers, as is Jodie’s struggle of feeling unworthy. ... Grace is available for everyone, and no one should place their self-worth in the perceptions of others" (RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
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March 10, 2016Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
March 7, 2016
Loved it. Can't wait for the rest of the books in the series.
April 19, 2023
Reread April 2023. A good story with some thought-provoking comments.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews