The Bounty Hunter's Baby

by Erica Vetsch

Brought Together by a Baby  

Bounty hunter Thomas Beaufort has no problem handling outlaws, but when he's left with a criminal's baby to care for, he's in over his head. And the only person he can think of to ask for help is Esther Jensen, the woman whose heart he broke when he left town. But can he convince her to put aside the past until he tracks down the baby's outlaw father? 

Esther is ready to run Thomas off her Texas ranch—until she spies the abandoned newborn in his arms. Soon, working together to care for the precious babe stirs old hopes of a family. With trouble heading to their door, they could overcome it together—if she'll entrust her wary heart to this sweet, second-chance family…

Genres: Christian Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance, Love Inspired Historical, Historical, Westerns, Historical Fiction

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2017

About the author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time!

Reviews

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really, really good book by Erica Vetsch. Thoroughly engaging characters, a wonderful plot, totally believable, and just very well written. I enjoyed it so much. I look forward to her next book.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review is my own.

[Amy]

The Bounty Hunter's Baby is such a sweet read. Esther and Thomas are hilarious together. Throw in a baby and Wild West action, and you have a perfect story.
Highly recommended.
5 stars

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little romance co-starring an adorable newborn! Even if Western isn't normally my time period, I really loved this one! I also happened to have a newborn when I read it, so it was very relatable to me.

[A.M. Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Loved: I’ve come to rely on Erica Vetsch to deliver a solid western and The Bounty Hunter’s Baby hit the spot. There was a bit of danger, lots of dust, an adorable newborn, two characters that you can’t help but root for, a message for the heart, and a bit of clean romance to top it all off.
I was drawn into the story the moment Thomas Beaufort burst onto the page, bringing with him the greatest dog I’ve ever met in a novel before. Rip was a delight! Hats off to you, Erica, for creating such a lovable pooch.

Rating and Recommendation: I recommend The Bounty Hunter’s Baby to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Western, or for those who can’t wait to meet the delightful Rip. I’m giving it 5 stars.

~I received a copy from the author but was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one. All thoughts are my own.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️I was looking for a lighter read and this definitely fit the bill well. Having said that, it was still a well written story and not shallow, which I appreciated. It just wasn’t terribly heartbreaking or intense. I was great with that. I do wish the title was a little more…unique 😉 and for the record it’s not the bounty hunter’s baby 🤷‍♀️—that’s just my opinion and didn’t affect my rating though.

I did want to shake the characters and say, “just talk already!” Angst is not my favorite in books, and yet I kept reading so I can’t complain. The romance was very clean though there was some “drama” (with the angst), a few noticings, and some kissing, but not anything I can think of that was distracting or excessive.

I liked all the characters, and baby Johnny was one of my favorites. The books intensity level picked up about 75% through and I couldn’t put it down! The end was satisfying, though per usual I could have used an epilogue 😉

Overall, a sweet story. I loved the reminders of scripture and how the characters grew and learned to trust the Lord and His Word.

[Gabrielle Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and Full of Humor

Erica Vetsch's signature style is present in this sweet, heartwarming romance set in Texas. Filled with humor, great turn-of-phrase, and a compelling plot that had me guessing to the end, this Love Inspired Historical will surely pull you in, as well. Loved the bounty hunter, Thomas and his faithful sidekick dog, Rip. Esther is strong, stubborn, and yearning for love. The baby, Johnny, is so real, I wanted to pull him into my arms to cuddle. Such a fun story.

[Bonnie Roof · Rating 5 out of 5]

1888 Texas
Since the death of her father 5 years previous, Esther Jensen has struggled to single-handedly maintain their Texas ranch by taking in the laundry of cowboys. A former ranch hand for her father, Thomas Beaufort broke Esther's heart when he left to become a bounty hunter. When he reappears, Esther's bitterness for him resurfaces, but her conscience won't let her reject Thomas' plea for her help in caring for an abandoned newborn - while he tracks down the baby's outlaw father.

Surprised by the dilapidation of the ranch, Thomas holds some surprises of his own - for Esther. Two needy people - one struggling to prove his self-worth, the other harboring feelings against forgiveness.

The Bounty Hunter's Baby is a touching novel of romance, adventure, faith, realistic characters, and descriptive settings. I related to the pain of both Thomas and Esther, "rooted" for their happiness, and delighted in the transformations wrought in each of them as the story unfolded. I loved this beautiful story of redemption and hope by Erica Vetsch.

I was provided a copy of The Bounty Hunter's Baby by the author. I was not required to give a positive review of it. This review is my honest opinion of The Bounty Hunter's Baby by Erica Vetsch.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bounty Hunter's Baby by Erica Vetsch is an enchanting story of love gone awry and second chances. Thomas Beaufort, bounty hunter extraordinaire for the last few years, has been on the trail of an escaped outlaw. Esther, beaten down by a life of pretty much losing everything she cared about, is trying to keep the taxman at bay to keep her ranch. As the trail Thomas is following leads closer to his objective, he finds himself back in Silar Falls, Texas with a newborn to care for. Will Esther help? The burdens of her everyday life and the past have created walls in her heart. Will she help this man who broke her heart years before? And if she does, how long is the commitment and what kind of danger might present itself? And how will she react when she finds out who the baby's father is? Action packed, strong, well-rounded characters that draw you right into their lives, and a wee baby in the mix, this book does not disappoint. The Bounty Hunter's Baby is a captivating story of family, friends, forgiveness and God's tender message of His steadfast love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rarely, more like almost never, do I ever read several books by the same author in a row. But, for some reason unknown to even myself, I did read these three Love Inspired Historicals from Erica Vetsch back to back. As soon as I finished one I just went ahead and started the next.

The Bounty Hunter's Baby was the second book that I read and I think it might have been my favorite. Two of the main reasons I enjoyed it were the fact that the hero is a bounty hunter which is pretty rare in Christian fiction, and absolutely adored Rip who happens to be a dog who can go from catching the bad guys to guarding a newborn baby in a twinkling. I also really wanted to see things work out for Thomas and Esther, two really hurting people who need a little faith and a little love.

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bounty Hunger's Baby by Erica Vetsch. Takes place in 1888 in Texas. Thomas Beaufort is a bounty. When he catches up with an outlaw in a cabin there was a woman pregnant with him. When Jase Swindell get away leaving the woman. Thomas delivers the baby but the woman dies since she was very sick. Thomas takes the baby to a ranch owned by Esther Jensen and Thomas use to work there for her dad. While he was gone five years Esther's dad shot himself since he didn't think he would make his ranch work after his cattle was stolen. His cattle was stolen by Jase Swindell. Esther and Thomas take care of the baby. In a few weeks Jase comes for his son. He kidnaps his son and Esther. Thomas goes after them. A good read.

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when need someone you love to help you in a dire situation? He has always loved her, but due to circumstances, he left her but when he finds a baby that needs someone to care for him, he returns to her to see if she will help take care of a baby that is the son of the man who caused her to lose her Father. She doesn't know why the bounty hunter left her but she still has feelings for him. She fears, he will return to bounty hunting once he finds a home for the orphan child. They work together once the baby is in danger & find the love they both wanted.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of love story that makes you wish you had someone like that. Adventures with a newborn more than a romance really. The two people already love each other and have for five years. Thomas is a bounty hunter who has to stop and deliver a dying woman's baby. He takes the baby to the woman who still holds his heart after five years to find things changed. She agrees to help and together they try to take care of the newborn. Erica Vetsch is a very good writer. Too good for Harlequin....
The cover gets a 1-....its nothing like the description in the book.

[Tabitha Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read! I loved the main female characters grit and willingness to stick to her decisions. Even though the main characters had history I never felt like I was missing a piece of their backstory or missing the sparks that showed they had chemistry. The pacing was good, a bit discombobulating at the end but at least it wasn’t extremely predictable. Overall it was a lovely quick read.

[Luci Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

clean and wholesome romance

A sweet story of resilience, family and faith.
Both the hero and heroine are strong but in some ways too proud. They struggle with what life had taught them but strove to keep going forward.
If you like strong heroes and heroines and faith that helps them, them I recommend this book. It is a delightful book that leaves you feeling good.

[Kami S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable and a quick read. Not a super deep or intense read,a unique plot that I think could've unfolded in a more captivating way, but fell a bit short for me. That, and it took until literally the last 1/8 of the book for any romance!

[Rachel Luke Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect mix of adventure, love, hope and loss. I loved how it taught that forgiveness can bring peace if we allow it. Would definitely recommend it to others to read and would read it again!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Inspired Historical

Esther has been in Love with Thomas for over five years. And he shows up at her door with a newborn baby. Thomas cant keep looking for wanted men and take care of a baby. Esther and Thomas is a Great Western Romance.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite

I truly enjoyed this wonderful story. So well-written that it felt as if you were there. It was very well-paced with so much to take in along the way. I could hardly put it down. Would definitely recommend it.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title is a little misleading initially but is more of a play on words.

This was a nice story with nice characters.

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few of this author's regency style books and enjoyed them, but this one was even better than those

[Daisey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well written, sweet romance. Clean. Would recommend.

[Amy Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story about Esther & Thomas. I enjoyed how the characters worked through their misunderstandings and miscommunication to find true love. Love everything written by Erica Vetsch.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating, nerve wrenching, heart breaking, happily ever after story!!

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read 60% and got bored. Same thing over and over.

[Alecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a cute story!!! once I got a few pages in I had a really hard time putting it down
such a sweet story about love and forgiveness

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The first line is a doozy! I couldn't wait to read the rest.
Thomas Beaufort is one of the best bounty hunters in the state of Texas, so how did he let a dangerous outlaw escape and end up with a baby? I can't tell you that, you have to read the book. You won't be disappointed!
Thomas takes the baby to the only person he could trust, Esther Jensen, the only girl he ever loved. He was shocked when he arrived at the Double J, a lot of things had changed since he left the ranch five years ago.
Guarding her once broken heart Esther agrees to help Thomas with the baby, meanwhile, Thomas does everything he can to help Esther.
There are so many good things in this book! Learning to forgive the past, learning to trust your heart again. Baby cuddles. There is also a very strong element of danger that had me reading on the edge of my seat at one point. I would love to have a dog like Rip. There are some very funny moments too. Thomas “can't carry a tune in a bucket with a lid on it.”
I love how Erica Vetsch writes. I highly recommend this book! 5 Stars!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. (Sort of begged to read it actually.) The opinions expressed are my own.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too much simile- could have really benefitted from better editing as it proved distracting and over the top at times. 2.5 ⭐️

[Elaine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Erica Vetsch book but it won't be my last. I so enjoyed this story of an unexpected birth along with the reconnecting of two people whose love had been thwarted years before. The characters were well developed and, despite the serious story line, this book was rich with humor as well. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. Well done, Erica!