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Driftwood Bay #1

The Southern Cowboy

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Librarian note: this is an alternative Kindle cover for ASIN: B00VEWTWHK

Can she heal from a tragedy too great to bear?

When Michelle Lancaster flees her hometown of Spirit, Louisiana to spend time at a beach retreat in Driftwood Bay, Florida, she only wants to run from the tremendous pain of a tragedy that caused her perfect life to shatter into pieces.

But on the day when the memories become too much, a man steps into her path on the beach and causes her beloved horse Coco to almost throw her. Not to mention this is the one man Michelle has tried to avoid. But laid-back boat captain and artist Brodie Stevens has his eye on Michelle and soon, he is pursuing her with a strong-willed determination. He too is haunted, but believes that together they can heal each other. Now the driftwood cowboy must convince Michelle it’s possible to hope… and to love again.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2015

551 people are currently reading
526 people want to read

About the author

Lenora Worth

277 books381 followers
Lenora Worth has written 75 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone when she received her 50th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has millions of books in print and is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and Tule Publishing. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children and lives in Florida.

Pen name: Lenora Nazworth

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5 stars
252 (39%)
4 stars
198 (30%)
3 stars
127 (19%)
2 stars
41 (6%)
1 star
22 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Elizabeth.
5,002 reviews1,412 followers
May 1, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Lenora Worth, Tule Publishing and NetGalley.)

“Today was a tough day for Michelle Lancaster. One year ago today, her life had fallen apart.”



This was a clean contemporary romance about a woman dealing with grief, and a cowboy who didn’t like horses.

I felt quite sorry for Michelle in this book. What she had gone through was something that no mother should ever have to live through, and I could understand why she was such a mess.
I also felt sorry for Brodie, as the way his father had treated him was awful.

The storyline in this was about Michelle and Brodie getting to know one another and sharing their stories. There was a little bit of romance, but it wasn’t overt, and this was definitely a clean romance.

The ending to this was good, and I was glad they got a happy ending.
6.75 out of 10
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
March 25, 2017
Great

She ran to Florida to find herself again. After the loss of his child a d her divorce things just seemed to overwhelm her. Brodie is a driftwood artist, boat captain and dealing with things from his past. They meet when she almost runs over him with her horse. Can they help each other.
Profile Image for Suzy  (readaholicmom).
1,067 reviews20 followers
April 11, 2017
3.5⭐'s
Two broken souls somehow find comfort and love within each other at a time where they were trying to shutout the world. Their past will always haunt them unless they can face it straight on.
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
June 13, 2015
This is a nice quick read, but not necessarily a light one. Worth evokes a gamut of emotions in her readers throughout. It is a sweet story that really makes you value the good things. This novella is about so much more than simply a romance between two individuals, it’s about life. Worth’s well written, yet quiet writing style lets this shine through.

Worth develops her characters in a way that makes you feel like you really know them. The trials & pain that they’ve been through make you really appreciate your life. At the same time their strength in the face of adversity is admirable. I appreciated the fact that Michelle needed a bit of a kick to start looking in the right direction to come out of her emotional upheaval on top. Life may not come easily for these two but it definitely came about well in the end. I enjoyed watching them open up throughout, becoming the type of people that they were meant to be.

This was a heartfelt, emotional novella that I thoroughly enjoyed. Worth is definitely an author worth watching.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Judy.
694 reviews82 followers
August 18, 2015
This was a very deep story for a novella. Personally, I wouldn't even classify it as such, even though it is only 160 pages long. There is much more story packed into those few pages.

The story actually starts from Brodie's point of view. Brodie is walking through the water's edge when he sees this beautiful woman and horse coming directly at him. He realizes the woman doesn't see him until it's almost to late. The story continues with much more of it being through Brodie's eyes. Michelle is a mystery, and even when we are in her head, we only get hints of what has driven her away from home.

Brodie and Michelle are both hurting. Michelle's trauma is more recent, but Brodie has his share of demons. The two of them together, help bring each other to a better place. I especially liked the ending. I couldn't help but smile over how things eventually turned out. I gave this story 4 stars, for managing to pack a full story into a novella.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,115 reviews9 followers
March 28, 2015
Michelle, is broken and what appears to be on the run from something. Brodie, has been running his whole life he was and has been completely broken and when he sees Michelle he realizes he is ready to take on the task. the only thing is Michelle needs to heal and has no intention of letting anyone or anything close again. When tragedy strikes it seems that its finally time to let everything out, for both Brodie and Michelle.
I have to say this book is amazing for once not just another story built on sexual attraction. I loved the fun characters in the story and I felt like I was catching up with friends not just read a story about people I knew nothing about this book is amazing. you can not go wrong with it.

I was given a copy of my honest review!!!
Profile Image for Rachael Mcdonald.
163 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2015
Brodie has found a new calling for himself living in the sunny beach town, sculpting unique items from driftwood. Giving a new beautiful purpose to something that otters would only see as washed up and without use. There isn't much difference between how most people view drift wood and what most people thought of Brodie. Working hard to turn his life around and focus on the positive in himself Brodie has finally come to terms with his relationship (or lack there of) with his father. The last thing Brodie had in mind for himself was to fall in love. Least of all with a beautiful, horse loving, and reluctant to get to know him, woman from Louisiana.
Profile Image for Christine.
1,500 reviews41 followers
March 27, 2015
The story is a light and quick read. The book could have been much deeper but that direction was not taken. Michelle looses her family and escapes to Driftwood, FL to get away. She meets Brodie who she didn't want to meet and spends time with him, though she didn't really want to. Brodie wants to get to know Michelle but is torn because of his past. Can they work together to get through their pasts?

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Reading Rediscovered.
343 reviews5 followers
April 16, 2015
Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a sweet story. Both Brodie & Michelle have some major healing to do. They've had events in their pasts that bring them together and then tie them together through mutual understanding, compassion and a deep undercurrent of affection for one another. All the way through, they helped each other heal from their various hurts and once they came together, it was a perfect happily ever after.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
2,296 reviews11 followers
March 27, 2015
This is a wonderful story about two lost souls, Michelle Lancaster and Brody Stevens, who find each other and build love through growing trust in each other. The characters are well written and the story is so believable that you will want to read it again.
Profile Image for Carol.
838 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2020
Driftwood Cowboy

Michelle and Brodie are both in Driftwood, FL, one living there one visiting. They've seen each other but she is trying to be left alone in her grief and he'd like to know her better. Can they both get what they think they want or can the become friends and maybe more?
593 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2020
Are you gonna drink that or make it levitate?" Sam asked - #bookquote - this made me laugh n smile - moment of lightness about characters with deep sadness due to life events that are their reason for taking refuge in driftwood bay. Loved this couples chemistry, connectedness, retreating and integration of their friends and family. Ready to read book 2.
Profile Image for Donna Keller.
291 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2025
sweet sweet story

Wow! This story about forgiveness was fascinating. Sadness had a hold on both characters. Michelle had to find a way to forgive herself in order to escape from the life of grief she was living. Brodie had to learn to forgive his dad before he could love. Great read.
271 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2025
Sweet

G two damaged would that eventual trust enough to tell there truths and find forgiveness in each other. Both have had torrid past one from a young age the other from a loss of a child on her watch. Both need forgiveness for something that wasn't there fault. Good story. Lots of sadness though.
2,472 reviews10 followers
October 21, 2017
I liked the beginning, I liked the middle. But the ending seemed a little rushed. I like how the two broken souls are broken in ways that the other can fix and in do so are fixed themselves. Overall good story.
4,547 reviews29 followers
November 7, 2017
I didn't care for the protagonists at first, but they grew on me as the story progressed. As they got to know each other, I got to know them. It starts of oddly disjointed, but it smooths out as it goes.
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,630 reviews39 followers
May 14, 2018
WHAT A HAPPY & SAD STORY, REALLY BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND I LOVED THE CHARACTERS. THIS BOOK HAS BEEN ON MY BOOK SHELF FOR QUITE SOME TIME I HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT IT. I’M KINDA GLAD I DID, I REALLY NEEDED A GOOD SOLID READ ABOUT NOW, THIS WAS RIGHT ON TIME. ;D
Profile Image for April kaup.
79 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2017
This story was a great story I want more

The story just pulls you in , then bang it is over to quick. Where is the rest of the story.😀
117 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2018
Southern comfort

Two folks hurting from past mistakes and relatives find each other in Florida. A good read, part of a series.
359 reviews
April 16, 2018
Very nice

Of course I read the last of the sequel first but that doesn't matter. A nice relaxing book with some drama but no sex or violence.
Profile Image for Bridget.
96 reviews
January 27, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Short and sweet. Great story and well written. I love the characters personalities. I will read the next 2 books.
1,625 reviews28 followers
March 31, 2015
Driftwood Cowboy by Lenora Worth
Driftwood Bay, Book 1
Can she heal from a tragedy too great to bear?

When Michelle Lancaster flees her hometown of Spirit, Louisiana to spend time at a beach retreat in Driftwood Bay, Florida, she only wants to run from the tremendous pain of a tragedy that caused her perfect life to shatter into pieces.

But on the day when the memories become too much, a man steps into her path on the beach and causes her beloved horse Coco to almost throw her. Not to mention this is the one man Michelle has tried to avoid. But laid-back boat captain and artist Brodie Stevens has his eye on Michelle and soon, he is pursuing her with a strong-willed determination. He too is haunted, but believes that together they can heal each other. Now the driftwood cowboy must convince Michelle it’s possible to hope… and to love again.
how did Michelle Lancaster and Brodie Stevens meet?
why did Michelle go to Driftwood Bay, Florida?
what are Brodie two jobs?
will Michelle and Brodie be more than friends?
Michelle ask what person “Are you stalking me?”
who is your favorite character in this story?
And why?
“How in the world did a woman from Louisiana end up in Driftwood Bay?”
Can Michelle heal from a tragedy too great to bear?
will Brodie be able to convince Michelle it’s possible to hope… and to love again?
Driftwood Cowboy by Lenora Worth is a 5 stars book.
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Lenora Worth.
A Recipe for Romance

Forced Alliance

Spring Brides
(Year of Weddings)



Proof of Innocence
(Capitol K-9 Unit, book 1)

Lakeside Hero
(Men of Millbrook Lake)

Her Holiday Protector
(Men of Millbrook Lake)

Bayou Sweetheart

Deadly Holiday Reunion

That Wild Cowboy

In Pursuit of a Princess

Mistletoe Kisses: Part 1 (Inspy Kisses)
by Janet Tronstad and Lenora Worth
Profile Image for Jen.
3,616 reviews
April 5, 2015
Check out my complete review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

Note: This ebook was provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Driftwood Cowboy is the first book in the Driftwood Bay series by bestselling author Lenora Worth. This was a beautifully written story of redemption and forgiveness, something that both the lead characters are searching for. Michelle and Brodie both have pasts that are shadowing them relentlessly, and while Michelle is trying to forgive herself, something she doesn't believe possible, Brodie needs to forgive his parents--his mother for abandoning him and his father for not stepping up and treating him quite terribly.

As a reader, I felt the sense of hopelessness and despair that Michelle was drowning in, totally understandable emotions, and while Brodie looked like he wanted to be the one to save her from all that, he needed to be saved from all the negative emotions, thoughts, and memories still lingering in his own life, courtesy of his father's callousness. There's a lot of pain and heartache that both the lead characters have endured and need to overcome neither is minimized or trivialized throughout the course of the book.

It takes a special kind of author to come up with such an emotional and heartfelt story with two inspiring and courageous characters and then put them all together in a short but sweet package that leaves you filled with hope and faith, and I don't mean purely in a religious sense, though there is that as well. I highly recommend Driftwood Cowboy to anyone that appreciates a beautiful love story and recognizes that some of the best tales are told without fancy distractions. This is a 2015 favorite and gets five-plus stars! ♥
Profile Image for BookSnuggle.
1,233 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2016
"Driftwood Cowboy" by Lenora Worth is book one in the "Driftwood Bay" series. This is Michelle Lancaster and Brodie Stevens' story.

Michelle and Brodie both have had tragedies in their life. Michelle is in Driftwood Bay hiding out there and wants to just be left alone. Brodie has found a way to exist, but he is not really living. They both are still letting the tragedies keep them from really living life. They are just in a holding pattern.

When Michelle and Brodie meet there is something between them. They both notice the attraction and pull. Will they take a risk or will their struggle with the past keep them from finding true love and happiness?

This is a clean romance, but the story is not lacking in sensuality. Michelle and Brodie were able to help each other work through the healing process and realized that they not only needed forgiveness from others but they needed to forgive themselves.

This is a sweet romance with Michelle and Brodie dealing with some very difficult issues in their life. Despite their very emotional struggles the author did a great job in balancing the struggles and the romance.

I enjoyed Michelle and Brodie's story. The scenery and food descriptions made the reader feel like you were there and could smell and taste the food. I also loved the cover of the book. I'm looking forward to reading additional books by Lenora Worth.

This book can be read as a standalone but you get a better understanding and connection to all the characters.

I received a copy of this book from Tule Publishing for an honest review.
https://booksnuggle.wordpress.com

My Lenora Worth reviews:
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Profile Image for Monica Cullip.
314 reviews9 followers
April 11, 2015

Driftwood Cowboy

This story was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review by Net Galley.

Michelle Lancaster has run away from the life she once knew in order to escape. Something tragic is in her past and she needs some time to heal. She has chosen Driftwood Bay as a place for this healing.
Brodie Stevens has a lot of baggage in his past as well, things that he is also trying to forget, he has been running emotionally for a long time but physically he has made Driftwood Bay his home for awhile. He passes the time by making and selling art out of driftwood.

Brodie notices Michelle one night on the beach and is immediately drawn to her. She is angry at him for interrupting her solitary horseback ride. He continually tries to run into her in town, and at the same time she finds ways to avoid him. He perseveres, trying to find out her history and finally she starts to come around and starts talking to him.

I loved this story. We as the reader are fed bits and pieces of the pasts of both characters slowly through the story. We are allowed to see the strong people that they both are now. We watch as they dance around and becomes friends. Michelle opens up and allows herself to feel for the first time in a long time and allows herself to finally, maybe, start to heal.

I thought the author did a great job explaining the history of both characters, explaining the tragic events that shaped them into the characters they are today. I also enjoyed how this was a story about friendship and allowed these characters to find themselves slowly and carefully. I appreciated how honest their feelings were. I would rate this story a 4/5.
Profile Image for Heidi.
4,327 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2015
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion and a review.

Michelle Lancaster has been through an awful lot and is know at the very end of her rope. How can she ever forgive herself, Will her life ever be normal again? Then one day she decides to go riding in to the ocean on her horse Coco and saw him, Mr Brodie Stevens.

Brodie he has his own history as well as his own dark secrets, but he has a yearning for Michelle, he just wants to keep but in each others sight, they both see and sense in both of there eyes the true sadness and despair that will bond them.

However Michelle is not ready to deal with people at all where Brodie is and he knows he wants more from Michelle. So with Brodie set to reel Michelle in or will the past catch up to them both? Or will this determined sexy beach bum be able to overcome his past but Michelle's as well?

I liked the story but am not quite sure that i loved it. It is definitely a very well written book as this subject matter can be very painful, and Michelle as a character mmm i liked her but other times i felt she could been portrayed better. I am 100% sure this would be an extraordinary painful tragedy to go through what she has gone through, but what I'm not sure is the turn around for her in the story it was so quick. I think if there were more chapters more depth to her it would have been better, but on the upside i loved Brodie he is a sweet loveable good guy.

I loved the writing style, the speech as well as narration and dialogue was great.

A good read especially if your after a contemporary romance.

3 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,884 reviews136 followers
April 3, 2015
WOW! This story is amazing. It concerns Michelle Lancaster aka Louisiana, trying to recover from the horrendous pain of tragic events in her life by having time alone in Driftwood Bay, Florida. She’s there alone, apart from her much loved horse, Coco, which she rides along the beach. One day she’s riding when her tears prevent her seeing local driftwood artist Brodie Stevens so Coco almost throws her when trying to avoid running into him. She’s actually seen him around but has been trying to avoid him as he’s the only person who seems to break through the ice surrounding her emotionally. He’s also damaged emotionally by his past, sad and in pain. However, now he’s met her he believes together they can help each other heal, he’s also very determined but willing to be patient and not try to rush anything.

This is not your usual romance, it is so much more. It explores grief in an empathetic way, helping the reader relate to the emotions of the characters, their trauma and struggles to let themselves actually feel, to relate and live again. It is written in such a beautiful way that it isn’t a sad story but it is one that will live with readers long after they finish reading it. This is a keeper, a book that you’ll want to revisit not just delete when you’ve read it on your ebook. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews

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