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Breath Without Life #1
Let Your Heart Beat Again
~The year is 1960 when men could be men, and women kept the faith.~One lone woman, four grown sons, one absentee father.After four months on the job, twenty-four-year-old Rebecca Harper has become something of a jack-of-all-trades on the Cooper Bar-6 Ranch...except for her cooking. But the four strapping sons who run the ranch in their father's absence need wise counsel more than unburnt bread, and Rebecca is perfect for the job.
Whether dealing with the driven eldest, the belligerent youngest, or the personalities in between, she recognizes the source of each young man's pain is a lifetime of a father's indifference.
As soon as the rogue returns, Rebecca aims to give "Mr. Cooper" a thick piece of her mind.
Not that dishing out hard truth will make her feel any more alive. Past betrayal has taught her to live at arm's length from anyone who might mean too much to her. So she cooks and cleans and counsels, at once harboring anger against a man she has never met and numbing herself against the life she has forgotten to desire.
Until one night, one thunderstorm, and one heroic stranger changes it all. In that fleeting moment, Rebecca Harper dares to hope her heart will beat again.
~Breath Without Life novels portrays seven bachelor ranchers, each so broken down by old wounds that he cannot conceive of ever finding love. Be there when one Cooper after another meets the one incredible woman who can make him whole again.~
~Every book within this series is a stand-alone love story, though ranch life circumstances run chronologically through all six novels.~
Whether dealing with the driven eldest, the belligerent youngest, or the personalities in between, she recognizes the source of each young man's pain is a lifetime of a father's indifference.
As soon as the rogue returns, Rebecca aims to give "Mr. Cooper" a thick piece of her mind.
Not that dishing out hard truth will make her feel any more alive. Past betrayal has taught her to live at arm's length from anyone who might mean too much to her. So she cooks and cleans and counsels, at once harboring anger against a man she has never met and numbing herself against the life she has forgotten to desire.
Until one night, one thunderstorm, and one heroic stranger changes it all. In that fleeting moment, Rebecca Harper dares to hope her heart will beat again.
~Breath Without Life novels portrays seven bachelor ranchers, each so broken down by old wounds that he cannot conceive of ever finding love. Be there when one Cooper after another meets the one incredible woman who can make him whole again.~
~Every book within this series is a stand-alone love story, though ranch life circumstances run chronologically through all six novels.~
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2017
604 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Janith Hooper
10 books67 followersJanith Hooper lives with her husband
in Oakdale, California—Cowboy
Capital of the World. She has
four grown sons, Matthew, Nathan,
Paul, and Benjamin; three daughters-
in-love, April, Marisa, and Brooke; and
six grandchildren, Abbie, Maddie,
Wyatt, Avalon, Elliott, and Brylee. So far.
in Oakdale, California—Cowboy
Capital of the World. She has
four grown sons, Matthew, Nathan,
Paul, and Benjamin; three daughters-
in-love, April, Marisa, and Brooke; and
six grandchildren, Abbie, Maddie,
Wyatt, Avalon, Elliott, and Brylee. So far.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
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November 30, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/30/2019)! 🎁
January 29, 2020
Actually 3.5 stars...
When a book is marketed as a clean read, I expect certain elements to be in there. This one qualified, but just barely, and in an awkward way. I kind of felt like I was reading an old Harlequin romance from the 70s...clean, but not squeaky clean. So when the Christian elements showed up randomly (though appropriately and accurately as far as I can tell), it almost jarred with what the characters were doing in the rest of their daily lives. What I can say is the story seems to be more real in ways other stories purporting to be clean reads have been, making it more relatable to real life. In that respect, I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers who aren't so picky about what's motivating the MC's.
I enjoyed the story. The plot and characters were well done. I hated that we still don't know who's trying to sabotage the ranch at the end. I don't know if I'll get to read any more of these books, so I may never have the answer to that question.
If you don't mind reading a series, and if you enjoy cowboy romance, historical romance, age-gap romance, and/or romance with a bit of spice, you might enjoy this one.
When a book is marketed as a clean read, I expect certain elements to be in there. This one qualified, but just barely, and in an awkward way. I kind of felt like I was reading an old Harlequin romance from the 70s...clean, but not squeaky clean. So when the Christian elements showed up randomly (though appropriately and accurately as far as I can tell), it almost jarred with what the characters were doing in the rest of their daily lives. What I can say is the story seems to be more real in ways other stories purporting to be clean reads have been, making it more relatable to real life. In that respect, I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers who aren't so picky about what's motivating the MC's.
I enjoyed the story. The plot and characters were well done. I hated that we still don't know who's trying to sabotage the ranch at the end. I don't know if I'll get to read any more of these books, so I may never have the answer to that question.
If you don't mind reading a series, and if you enjoy cowboy romance, historical romance, age-gap romance, and/or romance with a bit of spice, you might enjoy this one.
February 20, 2021
Let Your Heart Beat Again –Janith Hooper – This is flirting hard with the line of Christian fiction and slightly risqué sweet romance. (If you have ever actually read Song of Solomon or Hosea in the Bible, it reminds me of that level of description). But I enjoyed the characters and the plot! I do want to read the rest of this series because we really didn’t settle all the baggage this ranch full of men are carrying around! And I want to know if Crazy Clara is really behind all the non-accidents! Happy Reading!
January 30, 2021
The is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be the last. This is a clean well written story and it has humor and trials. Cord Cooper has been working at a neighbor's ranch and left his four grown boys. He arrives back home after helping Rebecca out of a ditch. He comes to find out she is there housekeeper and cook. I received an ARC of this book and I highly recommend reading it.
February 28, 2020
💜💜💜💜💜
I loved it!!!! a spunky house keeper and cook, a man that keeps pushing her away only to find he doesn't want to. heart wrenching truths. I cried, i laughed, and i also wanted to knock his "muleness" on his but. I loved the nickname she thought up for him towards the end fits him to a tee. can't wait to start reading the next book.
I loved it!!!! a spunky house keeper and cook, a man that keeps pushing her away only to find he doesn't want to. heart wrenching truths. I cried, i laughed, and i also wanted to knock his "muleness" on his but. I loved the nickname she thought up for him towards the end fits him to a tee. can't wait to start reading the next book.
March 31, 2020
Wonderful!
Rough and tough cowboys are not always as tough as they appear. They can have scars inside. Cord is that man. But when the sassy Rebecca Harper comes to work on his ranch, Cord meets a good strong Godly girl that can see deep inside his soul which he loves and resist. Clashes are bound to happen. I loved the book!
Rough and tough cowboys are not always as tough as they appear. They can have scars inside. Cord is that man. But when the sassy Rebecca Harper comes to work on his ranch, Cord meets a good strong Godly girl that can see deep inside his soul which he loves and resist. Clashes are bound to happen. I loved the book!
July 10, 2020
Well written and worth reading. It has so many emotions, suspense, excitement, suspense, twists and turns and much more. She is hired as cook and housekeeper to most of his grown sons. But they have a lot hurt and more in them because of their father. It hits the fan when he gets home. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
July 7, 2020
Let Your Heart Beat Again is a very beautiful story about how God uses people and time to heal wounded hearts. The story is exciting, constructive and very well written. It is nice to get to know the people in this book, their characters, their pain, their passion. A nice Christian book to read
August 2, 2020
Let Your Heart Beat Again
This is a really great book. So in tune with the times it is placed in. There is so much in this book about emotional and spiritual healing. I absolutely loved the way this Author wove this tale.
This is a really great book. So in tune with the times it is placed in. There is so much in this book about emotional and spiritual healing. I absolutely loved the way this Author wove this tale.
August 28, 2020
What a wonderful story. Janith has a way of bring her characters to life and it just draws you in with them. I love all of her books so far. I recommend this book. I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2021
When I started reading the book, Cord was not my favorite character, simply because he was good at doing things for others but forgetting about his own needs..
Then Racheal shows up and the changes everything, she gives him hope and a future which came at a high price..
Then Racheal shows up and the changes everything, she gives him hope and a future which came at a high price..
Read
January 9, 2021Loved the book. This is the first book by this author. She is very good at drawing you in to the setting. You heart aches at the various situations the family members find themselves in and how they resolve them.
June 18, 2017
Another amazing book by Janith Hooper. She completely draws you into her stories and you feel like you are part of the story. She is a new author to me and quickly becoming one of my favorites.
November 14, 2020
This story is great and well written about how God can make life easier if you talk to Him.Love don't know
age and we finally find it pray to it going strong.Thanks you for the read😀.☺Got love all the action in this story!
age and we finally find it pray to it going strong.Thanks you for the read😀.☺Got love all the action in this story!
May 26, 2021
Great!
Only thing wrong with this story is not being able to put it aside for dinner, chores or life! Great read. Wish all the series was on Kindle unlimited but thanks for one. Don't miss it!
Only thing wrong with this story is not being able to put it aside for dinner, chores or life! Great read. Wish all the series was on Kindle unlimited but thanks for one. Don't miss it!
May 25, 2021
Heartfelt story
This story grips you from the very beginning. You pray with them you cry in rage of the deceit. I had hoped to see Clara get her comeuppance.
This story grips you from the very beginning. You pray with them you cry in rage of the deceit. I had hoped to see Clara get her comeuppance.
August 5, 2020
Can't wait to see the next book!
Quite realistic, capturing broken souls healing and the depth of depravity some people live in. Trusting God gave healing, answers and strength to persevere.
Quite realistic, capturing broken souls healing and the depth of depravity some people live in. Trusting God gave healing, answers and strength to persevere.
October 25, 2020
The Cooper family is broken and has been since their mother, and wife, has died in childbirth 19 years ago. They all breathe but don’t live. Until Rebecca, the new housekeeper, enters their lives…
Though I did not understand some minor reactions (e.g. Rebecca’s reactions to men. After we got to know her past, I didn’t get why she did not have the same reaction towards women as well. Or why she reacted so strongly.), the characters were well described. It was easy to feel the grief and the emotions all along with them. The story is fascinating and so captivating that I had troubles to stop reading. This book is about a grief and guilt-ridden rancher who wants to reconnect with his sons and learns that without loving, he is not living at all. Be ready to enjoy and be carried away by this story ☺.
Though I did not understand some minor reactions (e.g. Rebecca’s reactions to men. After we got to know her past, I didn’t get why she did not have the same reaction towards women as well. Or why she reacted so strongly.), the characters were well described. It was easy to feel the grief and the emotions all along with them. The story is fascinating and so captivating that I had troubles to stop reading. This book is about a grief and guilt-ridden rancher who wants to reconnect with his sons and learns that without loving, he is not living at all. Be ready to enjoy and be carried away by this story ☺.
July 25, 2020
This story is a wonder Christian story with a lot of emotions wrapped up in it. Hurts, anger, and love all bring the characters closer together after times of disappointments. I loved this book. I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2020
Disappointed
First off, the author is talented and I enjoyed her writing, characters, and plot. It could have been a great book, if it weren't for the many issues it has. It is supposed to be a CHRISTIAN book, but other than a few verses and prayers (only when someone's in need) thrown in, the narrative is full of lust, characters constantly cursing, and continual descriptions of what he or she "does to my body". I simply cringed at countless parts and wanted to put the book down, but I can't stand not finishing a book. Would you honestly give this book to your teenage daughter to read? The sexual scenes leave little to the imagination besides doing things to your mind, and this is not what a Christian book is supposed to portray. I'm surprised at the high ratings and comments that it is a clean romance. Disappointing. Hence, I will not be reading the next two books in the series.
First off, the author is talented and I enjoyed her writing, characters, and plot. It could have been a great book, if it weren't for the many issues it has. It is supposed to be a CHRISTIAN book, but other than a few verses and prayers (only when someone's in need) thrown in, the narrative is full of lust, characters constantly cursing, and continual descriptions of what he or she "does to my body". I simply cringed at countless parts and wanted to put the book down, but I can't stand not finishing a book. Would you honestly give this book to your teenage daughter to read? The sexual scenes leave little to the imagination besides doing things to your mind, and this is not what a Christian book is supposed to portray. I'm surprised at the high ratings and comments that it is a clean romance. Disappointing. Hence, I will not be reading the next two books in the series.
September 2, 2019
Great Summertime Read.
If you would like to escape to bygone days, to a ranch in Wyoming where men were men you will love this romance.
The author Janith Hooper does a wonderful job of making the reader fall in love with all of the Cooper men. I felt sad leaving them behind as I turned the last page. I look so forward to the next book in this series.
The heroine Rebecca is plucky yet believable ... I liked that she was not drop dead gorgeous and couldn’t cook, this made her very relatable and so adorable. I also loved that she was a woman of faith and it showed in the way she lived.
The only caveat was that I had to remind myself I was back in 1960. Not enough pointed this out so then some of the antics and behaviour felt outdated unless I kept that in mind.
Overall, I enjoyed this read very much and if you like cowboy romance, or romance in general, so will you.
If you would like to escape to bygone days, to a ranch in Wyoming where men were men you will love this romance.
The author Janith Hooper does a wonderful job of making the reader fall in love with all of the Cooper men. I felt sad leaving them behind as I turned the last page. I look so forward to the next book in this series.
The heroine Rebecca is plucky yet believable ... I liked that she was not drop dead gorgeous and couldn’t cook, this made her very relatable and so adorable. I also loved that she was a woman of faith and it showed in the way she lived.
The only caveat was that I had to remind myself I was back in 1960. Not enough pointed this out so then some of the antics and behaviour felt outdated unless I kept that in mind.
Overall, I enjoyed this read very much and if you like cowboy romance, or romance in general, so will you.
December 5, 2019
Entirely too long.
July 2, 2017
-"How am I supposed to breathe without you?"-
Cord is a rough, hard-working rancher man. He is a broken man. Left alone a widower with 6 boys to raise all alone, the weight of the world and his guilt rest on his shoulders. He merely exists, trying to do right in his sons' eyes, keep the ranch going, and his loneliness at bay. Things keep going wrong on the ranch, sabotage, people and animals getting hurt, the "black widow" conniving and trapping him into an unwanted marriage. How can he and his family ever get ahead when everything conspires against him?
Then there's Rebecca. She's strong, stubborn, kind, and compassionate. She cares for him and his family. She can't cook but she can work the ranch as well as any rancher's wife and she's a great housekeeper- as well as keep his boys in line. Will she have to sacrifice her entire life because of one mistake brought on by a cunning woman bent on getting her way?
Or will they both find happiness and let their hearts beat again?
Janith Hooper does not write books in a hurried manner. She is a master storyteller. She takes her time to write and publish books and when they finally do come out, they are a true masterpiece. I love her work. Her writing style is mature, captivating, engaging. The characters are so realistic. I long to see her books made into movies... but then, I wonder if the big screen would do them justice.
I had such a difficult time putting this book down once I started reading. There is so much I want to say about how amazing this story is but I simply don't have the talent with words that Ms. Hooper does. The book speaks for itself. It is so romantic, so deep, so touching. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I'm sure it will be just as great as this one. This is a stand-alone book. However, some characters from the previous book do make an appearance and reading the books in order helps with the flow of the storyline and lends information about the back story of those characters. It simply enriches the story to read the books in order. I will be waiting impatiently for the next release.
Cord is a rough, hard-working rancher man. He is a broken man. Left alone a widower with 6 boys to raise all alone, the weight of the world and his guilt rest on his shoulders. He merely exists, trying to do right in his sons' eyes, keep the ranch going, and his loneliness at bay. Things keep going wrong on the ranch, sabotage, people and animals getting hurt, the "black widow" conniving and trapping him into an unwanted marriage. How can he and his family ever get ahead when everything conspires against him?
Then there's Rebecca. She's strong, stubborn, kind, and compassionate. She cares for him and his family. She can't cook but she can work the ranch as well as any rancher's wife and she's a great housekeeper- as well as keep his boys in line. Will she have to sacrifice her entire life because of one mistake brought on by a cunning woman bent on getting her way?
Or will they both find happiness and let their hearts beat again?
Janith Hooper does not write books in a hurried manner. She is a master storyteller. She takes her time to write and publish books and when they finally do come out, they are a true masterpiece. I love her work. Her writing style is mature, captivating, engaging. The characters are so realistic. I long to see her books made into movies... but then, I wonder if the big screen would do them justice.
I had such a difficult time putting this book down once I started reading. There is so much I want to say about how amazing this story is but I simply don't have the talent with words that Ms. Hooper does. The book speaks for itself. It is so romantic, so deep, so touching. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I'm sure it will be just as great as this one. This is a stand-alone book. However, some characters from the previous book do make an appearance and reading the books in order helps with the flow of the storyline and lends information about the back story of those characters. It simply enriches the story to read the books in order. I will be waiting impatiently for the next release.
April 9, 2022
The author offered this as a free read and that's something I couldn't pass up. I enjoyed the story and finished it in under eight hours. It would have benefited from better editing since there was a lot of unnecessary mental dialogue by the characters. The males in the story have weird names and Cord and Colt were constantly being confused by me as well as the twins. Why all the weird names? Why put their "pet" names in the story?
About halfway in God and prayer are introduced into the story. I didn't know this was a "Christian" novel, but it wasn't too "preachy." It stayed within my tolerable range.
I didn't like that the sabotaging of the ranch wasn't resolved and think it should have been since it was a big part of the story. I'm sure it will be in one of the following books, but I won't find out if my suspicions are correct as to who the culprit is unless those are offered as free readings also.
About halfway in God and prayer are introduced into the story. I didn't know this was a "Christian" novel, but it wasn't too "preachy." It stayed within my tolerable range.
I didn't like that the sabotaging of the ranch wasn't resolved and think it should have been since it was a big part of the story. I'm sure it will be in one of the following books, but I won't find out if my suspicions are correct as to who the culprit is unless those are offered as free readings also.
April 4, 2020
This book was sensational. It had a very interesting vibe to it. One woman against 5 grown men. That's enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved Rebecca's character. A mixture of gentleness and profound spirit. The humor especially is fantastic and I loved the blend of all the different male characters. All of them had distinctive and unique personalities. Twas superb. It's a lively story full of twists and turns. Unpredictable. She got that complicated family vibe and she was able to push through to the reader the simplicity and importance of prayer. Revealing the inner struggles of each men helped me understand each character better. Once again, her writing didn't disappointed. Hands down, I loved it.
August 2, 2018
Wow!
Get ready to have your heart broken and then put back together again! So much emotion in this book! I was drained after I finished it. The wicked witch of the west was the villainess! You will love yo hate her. SPOILER ALERT: I didn't like to read what happened to the dog but he lives.
Just remember that this book took place in 1960. People did not have a lot of choices back then.
Ther was an HEA but I would have like an epilogue.
Get ready to have your heart broken and then put back together again! So much emotion in this book! I was drained after I finished it. The wicked witch of the west was the villainess! You will love yo hate her. SPOILER ALERT: I didn't like to read what happened to the dog but he lives.
Just remember that this book took place in 1960. People did not have a lot of choices back then.
Ther was an HEA but I would have like an epilogue.
January 13, 2024
it was a good story bit a bit long…
I jumped ahead of the story. I skipped the middle. It’s like watching a soap opera and you can miss a whole year and still pick up what’s going on. So I just moved ahead…didn’t want to read more about the wick widow. But over all it was a good story. I want to read another one of this series to see what goes on with Cord Cooper boys! So I do recommend this book, but it’s bit too long. 👍📖📖👍
I jumped ahead of the story. I skipped the middle. It’s like watching a soap opera and you can miss a whole year and still pick up what’s going on. So I just moved ahead…didn’t want to read more about the wick widow. But over all it was a good story. I want to read another one of this series to see what goes on with Cord Cooper boys! So I do recommend this book, but it’s bit too long. 👍📖📖👍
June 25, 2017
I have read all of author Janith Hooper's books, and so far, this one is my favorite. It's hard to believe that she is a fairly new writer, as her writing is very seasoned and makes me feel like I am in the book watching the characters' stories unfold in front of me. Her characters are interesting and flawed, which makes them easy to relate to. I'm already looking forward to her next book in this series!
June 25, 2017
I love this book! I couldn't put it down. I finally finished it about 2:30 in the morning!! One of the best I've read lately! Fast paced, great characters, lost love, longing, intrigue, horses ,a dog, mystery and hot cowboys. What more could you want. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The review is my own.
December 7, 2019
I liked the warmth and strength of the main male character, who acknowledged his flaws but was strong enough to raise his sons by himself. I liked the strength and determination of Rebecca who was willing to fight for what she wanted. I'm not sure I believed all of the incidents in this story, but I liked the family bonds that were evident.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews