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Seven Virtues Ranch #4

The Heart of Courage

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No woman should have to choose between the man she loves and the sister she can't live without.

Being a twin has always been the best part about being Justice's sister. But Courage is starting to wonder if it's the one thing standing in the way of them figuring out who they really are. Their trick riding show has become far more popular than they'd ever imagined, and Courage must decide whether or not she still belongs as the other half of The Twisted Sisters. 

When the twins are tested by their greatest fear, will the bond they share bend and stretch, or will it break? Will Courage find it in her heart to set aside her own desires to see her sister happy? 

Loving someone should be simple, uncomplicated. It should fill the empty places and not leave you wanting. Courage used to believe that, but she's finding out the hard way that sometimes love is fraught with sacrifice and yearning, and it can burn its own brand of pain on even the bravest of hearts.

If you like Sweet Western Christian Romance in a small town farm and ranch setting, you'll love this fourth book in the Seven Virtues Ranch Romance Series. So come sit a spell in Plumwood Hollow where life happens a little slower and sweeter, but hearts might just be a little bigger.

Hometown heroes. Heartfelt Romance. Happily Ever Afters.

Award-winning author, Becky Doughty, brings you another wholesome, swoon-worthy romance series about sisters. Grab your copy of The Heart of Courage today and fall in love with love all over again.


235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2019

145 people are currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

Becky Doughty

101 books215 followers
Becky writes heartfelt and wholesome contemporary commercial fiction filled with friendship, romance, humor, a touch of mystery, a sprinkling of whimsy, plus a bushel of family drama. And usually a four-legged or winged companion, too. She’s also the voice behind an ever-expanding library of more than 200 audiobooks.

Becky and her Tomato Man met in the '80s (big hair, big hats, poofy sleeves, the works - see her About Page on BeckyDoughty.com). They live at the end of a lane on top of a hill in a hundred-year-old house. They share their lives with never enough pets, and they grow dueling riotous, rambling gardens. Most of the things in their gardens are edible… but some are most definitely not, due to Becky’s fascination with poisonous plants. They have three adult children living wild adventures of their own, but who also show up on demand with scrumptious grandbabies to nibble on.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
1,275 reviews6 followers
May 30, 2019
I think this is about the loyalty to your sister but that your own happiness should come first because if you are not happy how can you be sure you are helping someone else to be happy. It is also about not waiting too long to let people know how you feel because if you wait too long it may be too late.

Courage and Justice are twins and really have this twin power thing going on. When one is hurt the other actually can feel the pain in her heart type of thing. Joe is their neighbor who is a little more than a decade older than they are. They both have feelings for Joe but Courage won't verbalize hers because Justice has said she was going to go after him. Joe rejects Justice but tries to be honest and gentlemanly about it. Courage and Justice have a horse shoe together but Courage really doesn't want to continue with it full time anymore, but she does because it makes Justice happy. They have a big fight one day and Courage is practicing alone and has a serious accident. Joe decides that he shouldn't have waited to tell Courage how he felt because he could have lost her before he ever had her. Now he knows that she wants to see him in the same way and he has he dad's and Justice's blessing.
3,671 reviews17 followers
May 30, 2019
I was excited to read another story about the Goodacre sisters. This one is about twin Courage and a little bit about her sister Justice who is the alpha in their relationship. Courage has feelings for Joe Lynxwilder, but her sister Justice fresh out of a long term rocky relationship with Brandon Stillwater has already tried to stake her claim. Little does she know that Joe is really interested in Courage. Being a quiet organic farmer, who is passionate about his work, Courage is much more his type than the outspoken pushy Justice. I was surprised that Joe didn’t know how passionate Courage was about plants since she has an Agricultural degree. But Courage puts Justice first, whether it’s performing trick riding in rodeos even though she doesn’t really want to or letting her have the guy she really wants. Although Terrell Jackson, who works for Faith and Cord, is starting to look her way too. Maybe she could tell her heart to fall for him instead? The old guys at Schnooners and Joe’s mom were a riot. I wish I had their energy. I can relate to Joe being a quiet person and homebody myself. I’m looking forward to the rest of the sisters’ stories.
800 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2019
What a welcome return to the Seven Virtues Ranch, this time for Courage’s story. Readers of the earlier books will remember her as Justice’s twin and one half of the trick rider duo, the Twisted Sisters. Her relationship with Justice is strained though and she’s not sure why, and the tension causes a terrible accident. It’s not really possible to say more without adding spoilers, so I’m stopping there. I found it took me a while to “feel” the characters again, particularly Justice, and I missed the sisterly interaction that we had in the other books. However, all the characters we do meet are lovingly and expertly depicted, and those deserving of respect are certainly written to wring this from the reader. All in all, a good return to the Ranch, and hopefully the first of more of the sisters.
282 reviews3 followers
June 2, 2019
This was a great stand alone story. I love that it is part of a series, but you don't have to read the others to understand this one. I loved meeting Courage and learning more about her character and how she interacts with others, especially with her twin sister, Justice. Courage puts her own happiness aside as she tries to heal her relationship with her twin. Justice has her own problems that she isn't sharing with Courage. That rift is making Courage's heart break. I love the tenderness of their relationship. Enter Joe. Joe is a down-to-earth farmer that has a heart of gold that is waiting to be discovered. Through a series of misunderstandings and hurt feelings, things worked out. I enjoyed reading how everything worked out throughout the story. I look forward to learning more about Justice in the next book in the series.
1,933 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2021
TheHeart of Courage

Another great book in the series on the sisters of Virtue Ranch this book four tells the story of Courage one of the twins. Courage is a young twenty four year old woman who is part of the Twisted Sisters act done with their twin stallions that they had raised from colts. Both girl use gymnastics to music to do their stunts and some are very dangerous as well as hard. During one of their practices Justice got mad at Courage and told her to practice by herself till she got her part down pat. During that time doing the one stunt that was the most dangerous Courage’s horse is spooked and gets out of sync where this causes her to fall and be seriously injured. This series is very well worth reading and enjoying. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Profile Image for Margaret Nelson.
1,656 reviews
June 9, 2019
After a long wait, it was so good to get to read the fourth book in Becky Doughty's Seven Virtues Ranch series, “The Heart of Courage.” This is about one of the Goodacre twins, Courage, but of course, the other twin Justice is very much a part of the story too.

The tension builds through the first half of the book, with lots of relationship stresses and tears and angst. A plot twist breaks everything open, and healing and restoration begin.

I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with the sisters and their friends and family. I also enjoyed learning about diner lingo (never heard of it before!) and trick riding. I appreciate Doughty's good insights in relationships and her writing style that keeps me reading.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
121 reviews
June 12, 2019
True Love Waits

Courage loves her twin, Justice, and would never do anything to hurt her. That includes continuing their trick riding rodeo tour as Twisted Sisters, and giving up on her own love interest when she discovers that Justice wants to pursue him. Joe has waited until the perfect time to voice his romantic interest but faces the wrong twin and fears it will ruin his chances for the future he has dreamed. When tragedy happens, feelings come to the surface. Loved this continuation of the Seven Virtues series and the faith-filed messages found in each romantic story.
Profile Image for Kelly.
445 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2019
Becky Doughty has done it again! She has written a sweet romance with such likeable and realistic characters. It was fun getting reacquainted with the seven sisters of Seven Virtues Ranch! Courage struggles a bit with people pleasing and tamps down her own wants and desires. It is beautiful to watch her courage form and grow throughout the story. Farmer Joe, oh be still my beating heart! Seems like he'd be just about every girl's dream guy! I can't wait to finish this series! Such a loving and loveable family! Thank you, Becky, for writing!
704 reviews8 followers
June 3, 2019
I am so delighted that we have another book in the Seven Virtues Ranch series to enjoy! This story is about Courage and somewhat about Justice, her twin. The book can be read as a standalone but if you haven't read the other books you really should--I promise you will enjoy them. The characters are so well sketched out, the relationships are believable, and the romance between Courage and Joe is so sweet. Highly recommend!
4,566 reviews38 followers
June 7, 2019
Heart of Courage is a sweet, Christian romance. Courage Goodacre gets her story. I have really loved the books in this series - small town, Christian values, awesome romances, and a great extended family. There is no problem reading this book first, but we do get some fun updates about the sisters' lives. This story tests the strength of the twin bond - especially concerning matters of the heart. The story captivated me and I got nothing else done as I read straight through the story.
Profile Image for Angie.
102 reviews
March 9, 2020
Finding yourself
This is a sweet romance showing the strength of the bond between sisters, and the love means wanting what’s best for the other over what you want for yourself. Courage tries to be what she feels her sister wants and needs, but in the end they both find a truer path. And I enjoyed the insight to Joe’s character and how he realized his feelings for Courage.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the story.
Profile Image for Evonne Hutton.
1,342 reviews10 followers
May 31, 2019
She had known him her whole life but one day she looked at him with different eyes.
And hope was born!
An emotional read filled with love, grace and mercy.
A good storyline that is well written with characters to remember
Profile Image for Sherri.
366 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2019
I'm really enjoying this series. I only wish all the books were already available. Courage is a woman that I admired for her loyalty to her twin. Tom is the strong, silent type and is a good match for her. Each Goodacre girl has been interesting to get to know.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,191 reviews15 followers
June 5, 2019
I'm so excited for this new book in the Seven Virtues Ranch series. This has been such a good series. Courage and Justice are such a complex set of twins, but so fun. I love the close relationship they have and how much they love each other. I'm anxious to read Justice's story and find out what is going on with her and Brandon. Joe is such a great guy. I love the way he cares for his mom and others. He and Courage are so perfect for each other if only they can build up the courage to talk to each other.
Profile Image for Samantha.
109 reviews
June 4, 2019
Courage is one half of the Twisted Sisters trick riding due with her twin Justice. Courage has to find her identity and her place in the family. Will she be able to find the love she deserves or settle for something that she will just have to survive through.
237 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2020
Was good story just wasn't long enough

Was more looking into the lives &loves of the daughters of Mr.Jed.Was nice the way they help each. Recommended anyone
611 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2021
Casually paced romance of Courage and Joe. More focus on Courage's confusion about her future her twin and Joe not expressing his feelings.
879 reviews7 followers
September 4, 2025
Great story

A great story with twin sisters as the main characters.
She is a farmer @ heart & majored in agriculture.
He's also a quiet farmer & both sisters ruled him a good man.
Profile Image for Soleil Reader.
198 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2023
I totally loved Courage's story! A must-read! It's book 4 in a series so it's better to read the previous books before even if you can understand and enjoy the story as a standalone. I loved all the books in the series so far and I can't wait to read Justice' story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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