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Saddles and Spurs #1
Pony Express Courtship
Winning the Widow's Heart Turning her farm into a Pony Express station is the only way for recently widowed Rebecca Young to provide for her seven adopted sons and her young daughter. It also means contending with new station manager Seth Armstrong as he trains her boys to be riders. But Rebecca soon sees he has her children's best interests at heartand perhaps hers, too Seth plans on staying long enough to teach the boys how to survive the trail, before continuing on to search for his lost mail-order bride. But now, as he works so closely with Rebecca and her children, he's glimpsing the possibility of a different future. Could changing course bring this cowboy the chance of true love and fatherhood he never expected? Saddles and Daring Pony Express riders risk all for dutyand for love"
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
26 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Rhonda Gibson
85 books80 followersRhonda Gibson lives in New Mexico with her husband James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. She speaks at conferences and local writing groups. You can visit her at www.rhondagibson.net where she enjoys chatting with readers and friends online. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 2, 2018
3.5 stars
Pony Express Courtship is the first book in Rhonda Gibson's Saddles and Spurs series and a cute read. I liked basically everything about it, with the exception of the repetitiveness about certain things. When a book is already shorter than standard novels, I feel repeating things that were just mentioned a little bit ago is unnecessary.
I liked the whole Pony Express part of the story; it was way more interesting than I anticipated! The heroine was great and I found it amazing how she and her late husband had adopted so many orphan children.
All in all, a good start to the series and if you enjoy historical romance I think you might like this one.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Pony Express Courtship is the first book in Rhonda Gibson's Saddles and Spurs series and a cute read. I liked basically everything about it, with the exception of the repetitiveness about certain things. When a book is already shorter than standard novels, I feel repeating things that were just mentioned a little bit ago is unnecessary.
I liked the whole Pony Express part of the story; it was way more interesting than I anticipated! The heroine was great and I found it amazing how she and her late husband had adopted so many orphan children.
All in all, a good start to the series and if you enjoy historical romance I think you might like this one.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
May 7, 2017
4.5 stars
What a heartwarming read! I loved how dedicated to each other everyone in the Young family was. Rebecca is trying to raise her family after the death of her husband, but she is leery of the arrangements her late husband made to have her farm become a Pony Express station. Her adopted sons are going to be riders, and right off the bat Rebecca has reservations about the safety of this endeavor. The boys do need to earn money so they can build lives for themselves, but Rebecca can't help but worry about them being on the trail by themselves.
Seth, the new station master, has reservations of his own. He's here to whip the boys into shape and teach them survival skills for the trail, but Rebecca is constantly questioning his methods, like a mother hen. No wonder the Pony Express prefers hiring orphans! This is a dangerous job and now Seth is beginning to worry about the boys' safety as well. It's hard for him to do his job as he develops feelings for the boys and their young mother.
Pony Express Courtship is just a nice, sweet read. Everyone cares for each other, and the sincerity of their feelings really shine throughout the story. This is a story about the strength of family and friends, and it is a prefect holiday read. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
What a heartwarming read! I loved how dedicated to each other everyone in the Young family was. Rebecca is trying to raise her family after the death of her husband, but she is leery of the arrangements her late husband made to have her farm become a Pony Express station. Her adopted sons are going to be riders, and right off the bat Rebecca has reservations about the safety of this endeavor. The boys do need to earn money so they can build lives for themselves, but Rebecca can't help but worry about them being on the trail by themselves.
Seth, the new station master, has reservations of his own. He's here to whip the boys into shape and teach them survival skills for the trail, but Rebecca is constantly questioning his methods, like a mother hen. No wonder the Pony Express prefers hiring orphans! This is a dangerous job and now Seth is beginning to worry about the boys' safety as well. It's hard for him to do his job as he develops feelings for the boys and their young mother.
Pony Express Courtship is just a nice, sweet read. Everyone cares for each other, and the sincerity of their feelings really shine throughout the story. This is a story about the strength of family and friends, and it is a prefect holiday read. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
August 27, 2017
I'm a horsey person so I tend to love books with well written horses. In this case the Pony Express theme caught my eye. We don't have a lot of detail about this postal carrier, but we do know that by riding relays on fast, tough horses, the young men were able to take mail from Missouri to Sacramento in ten days through bandits, native warriors and natural hazards.
The author supposes that a home station might have been set up along the route, in this case a small homestead with sons and horses to provide relays. The lady homesteader is a widow with a daughter and several adopted sons, who has to suffer the wagging tongues of townsfolk when an official of the Pony Express arrives to stay with her while he swears in and trains the lads. This is an inspirational story which is a good fit for the times, meaning that the romance which develops is suitable for reading by YA readers as well as adults. There's lots of good realism and genuine-seeming conversation while additional details and characters make this a well-rounded story with quite a bit of danger.
I've already spotted the next in this Saddles And Spurs series, called Pony Express Hero. Great!
I downloaded this book from Net Galley for an unbiased review.
The author supposes that a home station might have been set up along the route, in this case a small homestead with sons and horses to provide relays. The lady homesteader is a widow with a daughter and several adopted sons, who has to suffer the wagging tongues of townsfolk when an official of the Pony Express arrives to stay with her while he swears in and trains the lads. This is an inspirational story which is a good fit for the times, meaning that the romance which develops is suitable for reading by YA readers as well as adults. There's lots of good realism and genuine-seeming conversation while additional details and characters make this a well-rounded story with quite a bit of danger.
I've already spotted the next in this Saddles And Spurs series, called Pony Express Hero. Great!
I downloaded this book from Net Galley for an unbiased review.
June 19, 2017
If you are looking for a quick, fun read, this will do nicely! However, if you expect this to be historical fiction, you will be disappointed. There are many inaccuracies in the historical aspects of this book, but the three most glaring ones were that 1.) Wyoming Territory did not exist in 1860 (various parts belonged to Dakota Territory, Nebraska, Utah Territory, & Washington Territory). 2.) Slavery was not legal in any of the Territories of the US in 1860. & 3.) the author continually depicts the mother offering to her visitors "cookies and sweetbreads" with tea or coffee. (Sweetbreads was the term used for many many decades to indicate the throat and pancreas of calves or lambs. They would not have been served with cookies, which, by the way, were usually called biscuits in 1860.)
I did enjoy the storyline, but I surely wish that Ms Gibson had done a tiny bit of homework on this"setting" before writing this book!
I did enjoy the storyline, but I surely wish that Ms Gibson had done a tiny bit of homework on this"setting" before writing this book!
March 8, 2016
5 Stars
I really enjoyed Pony Express Courtship. I want to see more about the characters in the future.
Rebecca Young has one daughter and seven adoptive sons. She is a widow. She cares about those around her and does what she can to help them.
Before Rebecca's husband died he arranged for their farm and their boys to be part of the Pony Express. Rebecca is worried about her boys.
Seth Armstrong was hired by the Pony Express to manage and train the boys on the Young farm. Seth plans to work just long enough to be able to keep searching for his missing mail order bride.
I liked the action, drama, romance and plot it all worked very well. I wanted to keep reading about them. It is a clean Christian read.
I was given this ebook to read for free from Harlequin and NetGalley. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Pony Express.
April 8, 2016
What an exciting premise to centre a series around. The Pony Express is what legends are made of. Even this eastern Canadian knows about the important role they played in getting mail across the West. Setting a romance at a newly formed Station adds the thrill of adventure and the lure of danger and that ups the tension of an already captivating plot.
Rebecca is wary but determined to make the Station a success for the sake of her sons, Seth is driven and exacting, just as determined to train up these young men to be excellent Express riders before he moves on. Until his attraction to Rebecca plays havoc with his carefully laid plans. Love, adventure and touches of humour makes this the kind of read that thrills to the very last page.
Rebecca is wary but determined to make the Station a success for the sake of her sons, Seth is driven and exacting, just as determined to train up these young men to be excellent Express riders before he moves on. Until his attraction to Rebecca plays havoc with his carefully laid plans. Love, adventure and touches of humour makes this the kind of read that thrills to the very last page.
June 28, 2016
It was very interesting reading this book because it's about Pony Express riders, which I've always found interesting...but I don't know too much about them.
Rebecca was a strong and caring character. I loved the reason why she and her late husband adopted all their sons and how all the boys treat her like their mother.
Seth was a good character too. I liked how the story started off with him jumping in to assist the family and went from there.
There were a couple of things that were repetitive and silly, but on the whole I thought this was a good story and it's one I recommend. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which is Jacob's story.
3.5 stars
Rebecca was a strong and caring character. I loved the reason why she and her late husband adopted all their sons and how all the boys treat her like their mother.
Seth was a good character too. I liked how the story started off with him jumping in to assist the family and went from there.
There were a couple of things that were repetitive and silly, but on the whole I thought this was a good story and it's one I recommend. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which is Jacob's story.
3.5 stars
February 17, 2020
When a widow turns her farm into a Pony Express station she had no idea what it would involved. She had seven sons who where adopted when they turned twelve and was very concerned about them riding for the Pony Express and the danger that it brought. Very good read.
June 28, 2020
It was a nice light read. Some of the things they did don’t seem too realistic, but as they said in the book you can make allowances for things you don’t know if they happened or not. I would like to find some more of the series if I can, to find out how the lives of the rest of them turn out.
February 6, 2017
This was such a great book . This was the first love inspired book I have read and it was really good
June 11, 2024
Very good interesting book. I really enjoyed it
August 15, 2025
Great read. I really enjoyed this one. All the kids were great
January 25, 2024
I have to agree with another commenter - the author DID NOT do her research on this book.
But I have WAY more complaints about this than just that.
First, you have a woman who's barely old enough to qualify as an adult as guardian of a whole bunch of teenaged and young adult boys. RECIPE. FOR. DISASTER. Like she couldn't be overpowered by them in a hot second? Like everyone was honorable, in orphanages? Try NO.
Second, she's going to 'talk to' the 'son' who's angry, but never does. There's no follow-thru with this woman (or this author). They forget what they're doing/writing. It's pitiful.
Third, we have a ranch house WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE of a town being set up as a Pony Express stop. Why? When there's a mail office right in the town, hello???? And THEN that's not enough, Gibson has to make it a STAGECOACH stop, as well. This ranch. A spit away from a hotel and livery and boarding house and mercantile.
The whole THING is absurd and ridiculous. And in what time would she be baking for travelers, if she's got a dozen 'sons' and hands around the place to wash/clean/tend/cook for, not to mention the small livestock, the milking, the churning of butter, etc.
HOW. ABOUT. NO!!!!!
It's not even written well, either. The dialogue is forced, the 'sons' run together...
Just skip it.
But I have WAY more complaints about this than just that.
First, you have a woman who's barely old enough to qualify as an adult as guardian of a whole bunch of teenaged and young adult boys. RECIPE. FOR. DISASTER. Like she couldn't be overpowered by them in a hot second? Like everyone was honorable, in orphanages? Try NO.
Second, she's going to 'talk to' the 'son' who's angry, but never does. There's no follow-thru with this woman (or this author). They forget what they're doing/writing. It's pitiful.
Third, we have a ranch house WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE of a town being set up as a Pony Express stop. Why? When there's a mail office right in the town, hello???? And THEN that's not enough, Gibson has to make it a STAGECOACH stop, as well. This ranch. A spit away from a hotel and livery and boarding house and mercantile.
The whole THING is absurd and ridiculous. And in what time would she be baking for travelers, if she's got a dozen 'sons' and hands around the place to wash/clean/tend/cook for, not to mention the small livestock, the milking, the churning of butter, etc.
HOW. ABOUT. NO!!!!!
It's not even written well, either. The dialogue is forced, the 'sons' run together...
Just skip it.
March 7, 2016
A warm and fun story, about the start of the Pony Express, and a family of heart.
It was easy to admire Rebecca, her heart is pure gold, as she, and her husband, took in as many orphan boys as they could. At age twelve, when the state considered them grown men, Rebecca and John had taken inn the boys, to give them a loving home, and time to grow up to be men.
Now John is dead, and her boys are some of the first Pony Express riders, to earn a living, while still living at the ranch.
How this unit is truly functioning as a family, was a beautiful thing. The boys can act their age, and have fun and banter with their brothers, but at the same time, are filled with the sense of responsibility and duty, love and respect to their ma, Rebecca.
The story tells about the trials and triumphs the family has, as they are setting up the Pony Express station. So many dangers the riders are facing, so many problems that could arise, and the feeling of success, to manage to exceed the expectations.
The new manager, Seth, soon starts to feel like part of the unit, the boys respect him, and Rebecca is learning to trust him. Even more serious and deeper feelings come into the picture.
Rebecca's home is filled with people, there's a place for anyone needing a shelter, with open arms, they take the old widow in, and even rescue a young slave. A heartfelt tale, with lots of history, everyday family life back in the day filled with love, faith, and a drizzle of danger
~ Four Spoons
It was easy to admire Rebecca, her heart is pure gold, as she, and her husband, took in as many orphan boys as they could. At age twelve, when the state considered them grown men, Rebecca and John had taken inn the boys, to give them a loving home, and time to grow up to be men.
Now John is dead, and her boys are some of the first Pony Express riders, to earn a living, while still living at the ranch.
How this unit is truly functioning as a family, was a beautiful thing. The boys can act their age, and have fun and banter with their brothers, but at the same time, are filled with the sense of responsibility and duty, love and respect to their ma, Rebecca.
The story tells about the trials and triumphs the family has, as they are setting up the Pony Express station. So many dangers the riders are facing, so many problems that could arise, and the feeling of success, to manage to exceed the expectations.
The new manager, Seth, soon starts to feel like part of the unit, the boys respect him, and Rebecca is learning to trust him. Even more serious and deeper feelings come into the picture.
Rebecca's home is filled with people, there's a place for anyone needing a shelter, with open arms, they take the old widow in, and even rescue a young slave. A heartfelt tale, with lots of history, everyday family life back in the day filled with love, faith, and a drizzle of danger
~ Four Spoons
February 9, 2016
Rebecca and her husband Jon decided to make their farm a Pony Express station and have their boys work as riders. But after Jon's passing, Rebecca realizes that she must continue with the plans if the boys are to have a chance in life. Seth is robbed on the way to find his mail-order bride who never showed up. So he takes a job as the station master at Rebecca's farm to earn more money. The two begin clashing almost immediately over almost everything. Rebecca, an orphan, protects her children, boys she's rescued when the orphanages turned them out at twelve. Seth needs Rebecca to trust him if he's to do his job and make these boys into men fit for the job.
This was a fun book. All of the characters added to the plot and helped round out the simple theme. I liked the drama and tension that a large family always brings when trying to mix in new people. I think the book might be part of a series, but it read like a stand-alone. I can definitely see several of the secondary characters having their own book in the future. Overall, this was a book that I would recommend to anyone wanting a sweet, clean romance about family, trust, and faith.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun book. All of the characters added to the plot and helped round out the simple theme. I liked the drama and tension that a large family always brings when trying to mix in new people. I think the book might be part of a series, but it read like a stand-alone. I can definitely see several of the secondary characters having their own book in the future. Overall, this was a book that I would recommend to anyone wanting a sweet, clean romance about family, trust, and faith.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2016
I loved this story about Rebecca and Seth. I especially loved learning more about the pony express and how the riders were trained. Seth had some interesting methods that Rebecca balked at.
The family dynamic was interesting. All the orphaned boys that Rebecca and her husband had adopted and how close they all were because of the shared commonality of being orphans.
The side story of Seth's mail-order bride and his determination to find her, even as he felt himself falling for Rebecca was inspiring. And the other ladies the Rebecca "adopted" to help with Express and Stage station just added the icing to a great story.
The family dynamic was interesting. All the orphaned boys that Rebecca and her husband had adopted and how close they all were because of the shared commonality of being orphans.
The side story of Seth's mail-order bride and his determination to find her, even as he felt himself falling for Rebecca was inspiring. And the other ladies the Rebecca "adopted" to help with Express and Stage station just added the icing to a great story.
April 16, 2016
Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson a Saddles And Spurs number 1 book. Before her husband died he wanted to open their place for a Pony Express Station. When he dies Rebecca Young did just that for her and her seven adopted sons and her daughter's future. Since her husband was no longer alive to run it, the Pony Express sent a station master, Seth Armstrong, to over see the station and to train the boys to be express riders. Seth works with the boys to become Riders. During his time there he got feeling for Rebecca and her for him. It takes place in 1860. It is a very good historical romance. The stagecoach ends up stopping there twice a week.
June 28, 2016
So sweet
Love the Young Family, cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Loved how Seth wanted to keep his promise to his grandmother and marry his mail order bride. Sometimes God lead us in a different direction and that is what happened with Seth. Love all of the Young boys especially Jacob the oldest and Benjamin the youngest. Fascinated with the pony express.
Love the Young Family, cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Loved how Seth wanted to keep his promise to his grandmother and marry his mail order bride. Sometimes God lead us in a different direction and that is what happened with Seth. Love all of the Young boys especially Jacob the oldest and Benjamin the youngest. Fascinated with the pony express.
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March 10, 2016"Gibson has penned a sweet love story with an inspiring message that love can come when we least expect it and, sometimes, even when our plans don’t allow for it" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Saddles and Spurs
Miniseries: Saddles and Spurs
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March 7, 2016Miniseries: Saddles and Spurs
September 27, 2016
I really enjoyed it. Rebecca was a little overprotective of the boys and as a mom I can understand but she needed to lighten up a little.
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January 20, 2017I like it, wonderful story of second chance, love and family. I recomend it! :)
June 15, 2016
Family story with heart - Great Read
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews