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Wyoming Legacy #5

A Cowboy for Christmas

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Cowboy Ricky White has been running from his past for years — until now. He's made a huge mistake, caused an accident that ruined a young lady's life, and is duty-bound to make restitution.

Rancher's daughter Daisy Richards believes her life is over. How can she go on with this devastating injury? When her entire family gets sick, she must lean on one of her father's ranch hands for help — but the new-to-town cowboy insists she can do more than she thinks.

With Ricky's confidence bolstering her, Daisy discovers life hasn't ended after all... and she might be falling for the cowboy. But Daisy doesn't know the secret Ricky's been keeping. Can he make everything right in time for Christmas?

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

1122 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

Lacy Williams

204 books1,307 followers
Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

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5 stars
603 (59%)
4 stars
294 (29%)
3 stars
87 (8%)
2 stars
18 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Cheesecake.
2,800 reviews515 followers
June 15, 2018
Ricky has led a troubled life til now.
Now that he has decided to follow the Christian way he seeks to make reparations for what he has done in the past. The biggest thing on his list is the hurt he caused to Daisy. It was an accident but if he hadn't been drunk and brawling in the street, Daisy would still have two arms.
She doesn't know that that is why he works on her father's ranch. Ricky doesn't know that in helping to heal Daisy, he will heal himself.

Daisy feels lost without her other arm.
She can't even clap her hands at her father's wedding. Worst of all is it was her right arm that was lost so she can't even write a letter easily.
Ricky slowly gets to know her and help show her that with a little ingenuity and forethought, she can do most of what she used to do.

There are other characters mucking up their path to love, and many trials to overcome.
I really enjoyed this one!!

Safety is good and the preachy stuff is just there to enhance the story.

audio reader was fine. Laura Asmundson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for SuperWendy.
1,105 reviews269 followers
December 23, 2014
I really enjoyed this story. Author addresses themes of redemption, forgiveness and overcoming fear - having both characters be "afraid" for different reasons. The heroine, succumbing to panic attacks after an accident takes her right arm and the hero, whose actions led to that accident, wanting to atone for his ne'er-do-well past. Emotional without pitying and a nice sizzle to the chemistry between romantic couple. My favorite by Williams to date, and the best book in this series so far.
Profile Image for Kimberly Rocha~ Book Obsessed Chicks.
584 reviews67 followers
October 2, 2014

A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS by Lacy Williams is a tale of healing and a tale of redemption and forgiveness.

After Daisy Richards loses her dominant arm in a freak accident, the former outgoing young lady becomes an introvert who remains in seclusion in her family home. A shadow of her former self, she has taken to stubbornness and pity. Life without an arm is truly difficult for her and she hides her herself so detract from any attention that might come her way.

When he father remarries and leaves her in charge of her new step-brothers while he and his bride go on a honeymoon, Daisy is met with a new set of struggles and would love to just call it a day, but ranch hand, Ricky White challenges her at every step. He shows her there is life after her accident, first by getting back on a horse, then by doing little things around the house that were difficult for her before.

Ricky Ellis wasn't always the man his is now. He liked to have a good time with the ladies and he liked to drink and gamble, but that all came to an end when he caused the accident that claimed Daisy's arm. He knows she doesn't remember it was him, but he feels honor bound to make amends and come to terms with his new path in life. Little by little he helps Daisy in more ways and in the process, he falls for her and she for him. Ricky knows she's too good for him, but that doesn't change the budding attraction and the emotions that come out when Daisy is around. Daisy comes to feel for Ricky at first thinking he only cares for her out of pity, but then realizing he sees her for the woman she is inside and her disability means nothing.

As their feelings for one another grow, Ricky knows he needs to tell Daisy about his part in her accident. Watching Daisy emerge from the dark cloud and become more confident and accepting of her abilities, Ricky is now worried that Daisy will reject him, and that would hurt him more than anyone realizes, because Daisy trusts no one as she trusts Ricky. She has opened herself like she never has before and losing that trust in Ricky may just break her.

A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS by Lacey Williams is a beautiful story. So well written and so meaningful, I couldn't put it down. Ricky actually thought more poorly of himself than he actually was, and he healed along with Daisy. Each and every time Daisy makes another step to independence, Ricky is pleased, but he also sees she is quite remarkable despite all she has overcome. Daisy, while being down on herself at first, takes leaps and bounds with Ricky by her side. The friendship morphing into love was the precedent here and no two people deserved that more than Ricky and Daisy. I loved this book and will likely read it again, therefore I truly recommend it.
Profile Image for Beth | Faithfully Bookish.
942 reviews254 followers
April 23, 2025
Wonderful story of redemption and romance! These characters tugged my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. I'm looking forward to reading the whole series!
Profile Image for Kati.
194 reviews7 followers
December 22, 2022
Emerging on the other side of a horrific trauma can be a scary and painful process.

Daisy Richards lost her right arm in an accident caused by a pair of fighting drunk cowboys. For months she has been healing and hiding at her home. Daisy's new stepmother pushes her to get out and start socializing again, but Daisy's panic attacks and depression force her to hole up in her room again and again. Until a relatively new hire at the ranch, Ricky White, starts gently encouraging and helping Daisy. Slowly, her confidence returns, and hope replaces desperation. She is not even afraid to step out with Ricky, the new cowboy. It is just that Ricky has a secret he is afraid will scare Daisy away from him forever.

Although the title suggests a Christmas novel, it is really not. The focus of the story is on Daisy's healing journey which does start around Christmas time. It was interesting to compare Ricky's and Daisy's parents' approaches to helping Daisy. They all loved her, but Ricky's careful, gentle, and uplifting support was so much more effective than her stepmother's cajoling and nagging.
The truth about Ricky and his true motive for being at the ranch is revealed to the reader early on. As Daisy and Ricky's relationship develops, the reader can feel the tension and inevitable punch that is coming growing stronger and stronger.

I would say, it is a wonderful read with some insights into healing after a trauma, about forgiveness, about growing one's courage, and about not giving up or running away or quitting.
November 29, 2023
Not bad!

Ricky and Daisy are good characters, and the plot was interesting, but the book was a tad boring and repetitive.
Ricky has many good romantic lines and I literally got butterflies a couple times!

This book wasn't very Christmasy at all. It takes place at Christmas, but not much is said about the holiday. I've read other love inspired historical novels where Christmas is woven into the story way better.

I low-key hated everyone besides Ricky and Daisy because they were mean to Daisy about her condition of a missing right arm. That was so annoying.

Very cool how Ricky actually killed a mountain lion in that accidental cabin fire he started and not a woman as he'd originally thought.
Ricky was the one who spooked the horses that were pulling Daisy's carriage, resulting in the carriage overturning and Daisy losing her arm.

I liked a lot of the cute little scenes where Ricky was helping Daisy, like when he braided her hair!

Although I predicted it, I was still disappointed with HOW Daisy found out that Ricky had been the one that caused her to lose her arm (Daisy was told by friends in a weird, loose manner while attending church). I wish the author had made Ricky tell her himself.

Good book! I'm never disappointed with the love inspired historical novels. 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Leah.
1,979 reviews
December 2, 2022
Wyoming/December 1900

This story has two main characters with a shared tragedy. Neither was likeable, but I preferred Ricky. He wasn't whiny, and he was helpful. She complained a lot. She also ran away and hid a lot. Eventually, the truth comes out. Everyone gets a happy ending. I would have liked this more with better characters. The story was interesting. It's about letting go of the pain of the past and learning a new normal.
Profile Image for Donna Parker.
337 reviews21 followers
October 25, 2014
Her world is torn asunder when an wagon accident took her arm and her spirit. He shows up at her family farm looking for a friend and redemption. But can they overcome both their pasts to make a future together? Will love find a way, especially at Christmas?
I know it's difficult at this point to find titles for romance novels, especially around Christmas stories, but this title has been used way too often. Other than that, this historical romance had unexpected depth and many wise words about the various special needs we can have with our bodies, our minds, and our hearts.
Profile Image for Yvette.
797 reviews26 followers
November 13, 2017
There are a select few authors for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical line whose books I consider "must reads" and it looks like I need to add Lacy Williams to that list. A Cowboy for Christmas, the fourth in her Wyoming Legacy series, was a surprise and yet exactly what I was hoping for. A sweet romance, growing faith, a bit of adventure and a bit of a challenge to be overcome on the way to happily ever after.

Now, reading the publisher's description, I did think I knew pretty much what to expect. The surprise lay in the main characters and the situation that brought them together. The extent of Daisy's injury, Ricky's feeling of responsibility and his dedication to helping her, made for a very interesting and ultimately heart-warming read.

Recommended for those who enjoy a sweet cowboy romance. A quick, enjoyable read that left me wanting to read the other books in the series, particularly any that might concern Ricky's family. Though I will be at the mercy of library ebook availability, I do hope to continue to read them in series order.

This review refers to an ebook borrowed from the library. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Natasha.
380 reviews
July 26, 2023
beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness!

Oh goodness, this novel just leads you on emotional journey of fear and bravery, mistakes and forgiveness, hard past and redemption, and it’s not easy. Lacy does an amazing job presenting the characters and letting readers walk along their growth and change. This story is about another White brother with such a troubled past that you know he needs a serious intervention to get back on to the straight and narrow. I love how this novel doesn’t shy away that it is only possible when a person is redeemed by God. However, I love the fact that it’s not glossed over, and the truth of it being a journey filled with shame from the past and hope for the future, is what grips you from the start. There are fears, there are emotions, there are secrets, and of course there is love. All set among cowboys in the Wild Wyoming on the clasp of the 20th century.
2,371 reviews13 followers
March 1, 2021
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical western romance A Cowboy for Christmas(Wild Wyoming Hearts Book 9){Wind River Hearts book 9} { Wyoming Legacy book 3} by Lacy Williams and this review was given freely.
An ironic story of reformation and repentance that leads to healing and love.
Newly reformed ex brawler, former alcoholic and inventor Ricky White doubts his worthiness and his family's love while he works on the family ranch of the woman who was disfigured by a traumatic wagon accident and fire caused by Ricky. While Ricky struggles with flashbacks caused by his checkered past and the town's censor;Daisy Richards struggles with social anxiety and body image.
96 reviews
February 19, 2022
Tragedy, Guilt and Triumph

Daisy has lost an arm in a freak accident. She's been unable, or unwilling, to see anyone, go anywhere or do anything. She feels helpless, hopeless and ugly.
Ricky has a secret that he hasn't shared with anyone. It's the reason he was the kind of man he had been, drinking, gambling, chasing women and worse, his fighting was the cause of the accident that changed a young woman's life forever.
You'll laugh, cry and feel proud as these two change from uncertainty to...
1,052 reviews11 followers
November 11, 2022
Damaged goods

Daisy is severely injured in a wagon wreck that resulted in the loss of her arm. She sequesters in her bedroom to avoid family & friends. Meanwhile, her dad hires the drunken gambling cowboy who caused the wagon wreck. For months Daisy doesn't participate in life but then she is left in charge of her 12 yr old twin stepbrothers, who are hellions. She actually goes to hide in the barn, and there is the cowboy who ruined her life. Only she doesn't remember him from that night. Even though it is a predictable ending, getting there is worth the read.
Profile Image for Debra.
432 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2023
Daisy lost her arm in a horrific wagon accident which caused her enough embarrassment/trauma that she isolated herself on her family's ranch.

Ricky was a card playing, saloon visiting, drinking, and ladies man that came to Daisy's family's ranch to work and make amends for causing the wagon accident.

The two meet and there is an attraction but will the past interfere with the sparks that are flying between them.

A sad and sweet story with likable characters and well-developed storyline. A pleasant way to spend a few hours or so on a dreary day.
Profile Image for Sharon Phelps.
251 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2019
A Christian Romance

I love the diversity of the this series cowboys stories. Ricky is damaged goods when Jonas adopts him. He never reveals his full story. Just that his birth mom was a saloon girl until she died and left him on his own. His past haunts him until he meets Daisy under unfortunate circumstances. That turns both of their worlds around and on a collision course.
Profile Image for Veronica.
486 reviews
April 21, 2020
Ricky would have made a good occupational therapist, if occupational therapists had existed back in 1900. I enjoyed how Ricky worked to help Daisy be able to perform tasks on her own.

I was very disappointed by how this book wrapped up. I hate when the resolution mirrors the initial incident in a lot of ways. I also disliked how Ricky's past was wrapped up. I didn't care for how his past was written when it was introduced earlier in the book and the wrap up negated all his feelings that he was running from. Not my favorite.
Profile Image for Jane Culbertson.
171 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2025
This book in the series is Ricky Whites story and it is a very involved one. There are a number of events of great interest in this book. A loving father never turns his back on his children but stands by them. A tissue or two would be advisable when sitting down to read it. It takes an extremely talented author to create such great characters and write such a captivating book. Lacy never disappoints
47 reviews
January 8, 2019
Great read

Ricky had a bad past was striving to be a better person. He was smart and very interested in righting a wrong he'd done. Daisy was in an accident, lost an arm and felt like life wasn't going to be any good for her. See how trusting God, working together and trusting each other bring Ricky and Daisy together
282 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2021
A Cowboy for Christmas: Wyoming Legacy (Wind R..

Oh how I just really loved this book in the series. I really could read it more times in a row. The story line was wonderful and the characters were right on.This is a clean wonderful romance to read over and over again. I would recommend it to anyone.
2,311 reviews83 followers
December 20, 2021
Sweet Historical Romance

Aw!  Such a heartfelt story!  Ricky is a new Christian with a dark past!  Most of us can totally relate to his challenges, in that fact alone!  But now he sets out to redeem his last performance of his old self!  Who doesn't fall in love with this character?!  I loved this story!
Profile Image for Holly.
712 reviews21 followers
December 25, 2021
Nice story to end my Christmas with

I enjoy the author's style, she created characters with depth that can be related to.

I especially enjoyed Daisy. She faced a difficult situation that created a lot of frustration and self doubt. She handled it the way many would, withdrawal and self pity. But she eventually finds her inner strength.

Definitely a feel good story!
Profile Image for Connie Skief.
911 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2024
Oh, the things held from the past that taunt the present and shape the future if not checked

A fire and death lead to drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and an severe accident. A good friend sharing God lead to a changed man, a fire, and saved lives. But the past can catch up to a person and God can work miracles. Highly recommended for all readers.
1,253 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2021
Great book!

Ricky runs away from his family because of something he did in his past. Along the way he creates another problem he has to deal with. Read this book to see how he handles everything.
1,474 reviews
December 28, 2021
Love and redemption

What a great story about love and redemption. When Ricky met Daisy he thought she was too good for him. After spending time with her their chemistry was strong. After working out their issues they found their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Joan Arning.
1,789 reviews28 followers
December 30, 2021
Daisy who is a rancher's daughter lost her arm in an accident and has isolated herself since then. Cowboy Ricky White feels guilty for the accident and tries to encourage Daisy in learning to do things with one arm. I recommend this Christmas story to others.
17 reviews
January 26, 2022
This is the first time I've read this author. I enjoyed the unusual story line. It kept my attention and the characters are believable. I'd like to find more titles by this author that are not cowboy themed.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
2,966 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2024
Really Great Series

I'm so enjoying this series and getting to know all the White brothers. This is Ricky's story and it doesn't disappoint. I loved his and Daisy's story. These two are meant to be together. A really great read.
Profile Image for Alice.
2,977 reviews
January 2, 2025
Exceptional book! Female character adapts to her losing her arm. Learns new skills and makes a choice to live not retread. Male character determines that he will face the consquences of previous decisions.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 75 reviews

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