The Rancher's Christmas Match

Mercy Ranch #2

by Brenda Minton

This Christmas, a wounded veteran in Oklahoma gets his own forever family in this heartwarming holiday romance novel.Struggling single mom Rebecca Martin could use a Christmas miracle. So when she hears a philanthropist is offering commercial buildings rent-free for a year, she can’t pass up the chance to start her own business. She knew that starting a new life in Hope, Oklahoma, would be full of surprises. But she certainly never expected the gruff cowboy Isaac West to help her business thrive. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan . . . but as she watches the wounded veteran connect with her daughter, it’s a gift that’s hard to resist.

Genres: Love Inspired, Harlequin, Christmas

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2018

About the author

Brenda Minton lives, procrastinates, writes, drinks coffee, raises her kids and is wife to her husband, in the Ozarks.

Okay, now to first person because a third person bio sounds like someone else wrote it about me, and is just license to create flowery prose about myself.

I grew up on a farm in the Ozarks. It was long ago and far away, in a land before cable TV, video games and the internet. To pass the time we read books, watched (gasp) network TV that rarely came in clear, and had friends over on weekends to play music on the front porch, or card games in the dining room.

The result of growing up 'country' was an active imagination. For fun I wrote stories to entertain myself and I dreamed of being an author. Oh, but first, before writing, I wanted to be a jockey.

Writing won out over being a jockey. In the spring of 2006 I got the call that made those dreams come true: the call that welcomed me into the Steeple Hill family of authors.

The moral of this story, never stop dreaming.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Christmas Cowboy Romance, and this is the second book in the Mercy Ranch series. I loved parts of this book, but I really did not like parts of this book. I loved the ending. The characters in this book to a little bit to grow on me. The storyline was good.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love struggling single mom stories and this one really tugged at my heartstrings -- especially when the plot takes on some hard-hitting angst. I pretty much felt my way through this story, which is my favourite way to enjoy a book! But even though there's enough drama to churn an innocent reader's tummy into knots, there are some delightfully funny parts as well.

Like when Isaac and Rebecca first meet. He's definitely not in top form and she's a take-charge kind of woman who leaps to the wrong conclusion.

"She probably slayed dragons and stormed castle walls. He could do those things on an average day. Unfortunately, today wasn't his best knight-in-shining-armor day." (p 12)

No worries, poor Isaac gets a shining armor moment or two but Rebecca sure makes him work for it. Love the banter between them. He's kinda funny and flirty and she's way too serious. They are obviously drawn to each other but both have enough baggage to be wary. And there's Rebecca's adorable daughter to factor into the equation.

Angst aplenty, a great Christmas connection and critters galore (including some awesome dogs!) make this a treat of a holiday read!

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The people who should have been there for her, prayed for her, loved her, had been the ones throwing stones. She still felt the bruises of the words hurled at her by well-meaning church members.'

I love, love Brenda Minton's books. She writes with a depth of heart and crafts characters that seem almost real to the reader! I eagerly await each one she writes. Highly recommend this author.

[Dorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved ❤ this book's storyline. This book's storyline was sad 😥. I loved ❤ the Christian theme in this story. I loved ❤ Rebecca's character. My heart broke 💔 for Rebecca. I loved ❤ Isaac's character. My heart broke 💔 for Isaac. I loved ❤ Allie, my heart broke 💔 for Allie. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Minton.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Mercy Ranch

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Mercy Ranch

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the little girl in the book.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit Hope By The Book to read my review https://www.hopebythebook.com/blog1/2...

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first visit to Mercy ranch, but it definitely won't be my last. I love this place of hope and healing. Such a cute story.

[Katreniah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe there are places throughout the US where people who are friends continually kiss each other on the lips, I've never lived in any of them. And all of this 'platonic' kissing made me understand why these two were so confused by each other. I couldn't really get past that strange habit they had - we kiss on the lips, but we're just friends? It felt like it happened often and pulled me out of the story. Otherwise, the plot was interesting.

[Karen Mcnicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

We bought this book a few weeks before Christmas along with 3 others, just got to read this one and wow! Great story, Rebecca and Isaac make such a nice couple and her little girl just so adorable! A must read anytime!

YES, I recommend this product.

[Sparklin C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author. This was a great single mom story. And falling for the rancher.

[Elaine Applebury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Brenda Minton's books! Isaac with PTSD, Rebecca, an unwed mother of nine-yr-old Allie, who has seizures, and Jersey, the service dog. Welcome back to Mercy Ranch!

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, uplifting story well worth reading!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read for a second chance at love for both of them.

[Kym McNabney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a HUGE Brenda Minton fan. With that said, The Rancher’s Christmas Match is not my favorite, but still a good read, and look forward to reading any future books by Ms Minton.

From the back cover:
When struggling single mom Rebecca Martin hears a philanthropist in Oklahoma is offering buildings rent-free for a year, she can’t pass up the opportunity. And cowboy Isaac West is just the unexpected help she needs to turn the building into a thriving business. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan…but with this injured veteran, it’s a gift that’s hard to resist.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read and nice insight into PTSD. Anyone who knows a veteran, dealt with church hurt, or been used by someone you thought loved you will find this book hitting close to home. The characters are complex and interesting and for once we have a child character that is NOT annoying. Recommend this one.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and well designed characters. Isaac and his family, Jack, Carson, Kylie and the people of Hope, showed Rebecca and her daughter so much empathy, overflowing genuine support and unlimited love. They help her renew her faith and trust in mankind and God....

Highly recommends...

[samantha Droddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story! I didn’t realize this book was part of a series until after I finished it and went looking for other novels from this author. I love that it didn’t matter that I start mid-series. Such a sweet light hearted romance. I definitely plan on completing this series.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe closer to 3.5 stars.

[Wildchild07 · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing love my books

[Kensly Jolyn Lawson Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love struggling single mom stories with a happy ending.....

[Leah Lannin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 45%
This was total nachos for me. Cheesy and corny.
I hate the strong woman MC who seems weak kneed at the first hiccup and is saved by a man. Eye rolls abound for me.

[Jaiden Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 3.5 ⭐️ it took way to long for the main characters to get together.