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McCord Sisters #1
The Reluctant Cowgirl
Enjoy a front row seat as two reluctant lovers take center stage in award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler's latest riveting romance. New York actress Crystal McCord puts her career on hold to return home to Arkansas to help take care of her family's ranch. When she meets cowboy neighbor Jeremy Buchanan, sparks fly. But when Jeremy's never-before-mentioned family appears on the scene, he drops out of the picture. Will Crystal's country road home turn out to be a dead end? Is it time for a U-turn back to the Big Apple? Or will Jeremy manage to book her for an unlimited engagement?
285 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Christine Lynxwiler
29 books65 followersAward-winning author and past president of American Christian Romance Writers, Christine Lynxwiler has numerous novels and novellas published with Barbour Publishing. She and her husband, Kevin, along with their two daughters, four horses, and two dogs live in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in their home state of Arkansas."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 6, 2009
4.5Stars
Crystal McCord is feeling a bit low on the last night of the stage production that she was in, to be honest she was down in the dumps and it had more to do with home sickness more than anything else.
Despite a clear goal all her life to stick to her dreams of playing Broadway – on a sudden visit home she finds herself agreeing to taking on board the family farm for a few weeks when her parents has to go out of town for work/second honeymoon. You would think with a bunch of brothers and sisters there would be someone to chip in, but no - all of Crystal’s siblings are otherwise engaged and although not pleased she reluctantly accept the help of Jeremy Buchanan the next door rancher with the farm for the first few days until she can find her ranch legs.
Jeremy is a new implant to the ranching area of Arkansas but Crystal is only just meeting him because of all the years she has been away. Jeremy has his own baggage and it has literally put is life on hold and he show no signs of going forward in the near future. With a constant air of no hope around him is surprised at the sudden interest he takes in Crystal and the fact that she brings out a side of him that he has not seen in a long time.
Between caring for the ranch and interfering siblings Crystal and Jeremy takes on board each other secrets and challenges and a tight bond forms between the two – however when dreams as long held as Crystal has been are within reach, someone has to win and someone must lose, and when none are willing to fight for what could be a sure thing something had to give.
I had heard so much good thing about this authors writing that as soon as I got the chance to try out her new series “McCord Sisters”, I jumped at it. Ms. Lynxwiler starts off this sweet tale with Crystal in her own element – the path to the life that she has always dream about and there the author introduces us to what Crystal life is all about, the friends she has made and the compromises that she has had to make in order to get some privacy.
Once Crystal gets onto the ranch, the books picks up and her’s and Jeremy’s day and eventual evenings are intertwined for a good stretch of the book. Jeremy is not secretive about his own heartbreaking dilemma but over time he has been relying on himself and doesn’t accept help easily. When he finds himself becoming attracted to Crystal he is amazed that he is able to after all that he has been through – but then Jeremy has never forgotten his Christian value or denied himself from feeling hurt and coming to terms with what he had no control over in his life.
Crystal on the other hand is attracted to Jeremy but she is scared not only by the fact that she is not willing to give up her dreams to do ranching, Crystal had given up on a whole lot of things, God, family, friends and buried herself in a dream that she is just now willing to really look at and see all the other options out there for her – Jeremy the main one.
The author does a fantastic job with developing the characters , both the main and the secondary ones. Two things about this books stood out for me, one, this is a religious romance but at no point was it forced down my throat it was there in everything the McCord family and their friends did, it was in there hopes, their dreams and their wants; also the fact that as much as this is a first book in a series Ms. Lynxwiler took the time to flesh out all the sibling as individual and I ended up definately loving some more than the others, but despite this the author never forgot that this was Crystal and Jeremy's story and she made those two quite solid in their mould and I really like them as individuals and as a couple.
There are enough realities of life in this books to make you sit up and thing, this happen to me or I know someone that that happened to and this more than anything else made this book a winner for me. A few side stories are present in this book, and these only help to give a better understanding of the dynamics of the family and hopefully layout some of the foundation for future books.
I am so looking forward to Ms. Lynxwiler next book in the series and am very pleased I got the chance to finally read a book by this exciting author.
Crystal McCord is feeling a bit low on the last night of the stage production that she was in, to be honest she was down in the dumps and it had more to do with home sickness more than anything else.
Despite a clear goal all her life to stick to her dreams of playing Broadway – on a sudden visit home she finds herself agreeing to taking on board the family farm for a few weeks when her parents has to go out of town for work/second honeymoon. You would think with a bunch of brothers and sisters there would be someone to chip in, but no - all of Crystal’s siblings are otherwise engaged and although not pleased she reluctantly accept the help of Jeremy Buchanan the next door rancher with the farm for the first few days until she can find her ranch legs.
Jeremy is a new implant to the ranching area of Arkansas but Crystal is only just meeting him because of all the years she has been away. Jeremy has his own baggage and it has literally put is life on hold and he show no signs of going forward in the near future. With a constant air of no hope around him is surprised at the sudden interest he takes in Crystal and the fact that she brings out a side of him that he has not seen in a long time.
Between caring for the ranch and interfering siblings Crystal and Jeremy takes on board each other secrets and challenges and a tight bond forms between the two – however when dreams as long held as Crystal has been are within reach, someone has to win and someone must lose, and when none are willing to fight for what could be a sure thing something had to give.
I had heard so much good thing about this authors writing that as soon as I got the chance to try out her new series “McCord Sisters”, I jumped at it. Ms. Lynxwiler starts off this sweet tale with Crystal in her own element – the path to the life that she has always dream about and there the author introduces us to what Crystal life is all about, the friends she has made and the compromises that she has had to make in order to get some privacy.
Once Crystal gets onto the ranch, the books picks up and her’s and Jeremy’s day and eventual evenings are intertwined for a good stretch of the book. Jeremy is not secretive about his own heartbreaking dilemma but over time he has been relying on himself and doesn’t accept help easily. When he finds himself becoming attracted to Crystal he is amazed that he is able to after all that he has been through – but then Jeremy has never forgotten his Christian value or denied himself from feeling hurt and coming to terms with what he had no control over in his life.
Crystal on the other hand is attracted to Jeremy but she is scared not only by the fact that she is not willing to give up her dreams to do ranching, Crystal had given up on a whole lot of things, God, family, friends and buried herself in a dream that she is just now willing to really look at and see all the other options out there for her – Jeremy the main one.
The author does a fantastic job with developing the characters , both the main and the secondary ones. Two things about this books stood out for me, one, this is a religious romance but at no point was it forced down my throat it was there in everything the McCord family and their friends did, it was in there hopes, their dreams and their wants; also the fact that as much as this is a first book in a series Ms. Lynxwiler took the time to flesh out all the sibling as individual and I ended up definately loving some more than the others, but despite this the author never forgot that this was Crystal and Jeremy's story and she made those two quite solid in their mould and I really like them as individuals and as a couple.
There are enough realities of life in this books to make you sit up and thing, this happen to me or I know someone that that happened to and this more than anything else made this book a winner for me. A few side stories are present in this book, and these only help to give a better understanding of the dynamics of the family and hopefully layout some of the foundation for future books.
I am so looking forward to Ms. Lynxwiler next book in the series and am very pleased I got the chance to finally read a book by this exciting author.
October 16, 2020
I totally enjoyed this book! It had me guessing from beginning to end as to how the story would all play out in the end. Very well done!
August 4, 2009
This is a beautiful story about love, lost loves, and relationships with those who truly matter. Crystal has lost her sister, Jeremy has lost his daughter, and they have both seemed to have lost a sense of themselves in the process.
This amazing book is jam packed with drama, love, mystery and suspense, and humbling thoughts of a lost sheep coming back to the fold. I found myself tearing up multiple times while reading this book. I strongly identified with Crystal and some of the struggles that she was facing. She had a dream (but was it really her's?!?) to live out and was sidetracked into greater things along the way. That seems to be the story of my life but so far it's all turned out better than I could have anticipated.
This book is not for those who have a tendency to cry at the drop of the hat, however, I recommend that everyone read this! I had a hard time putting it down and enjoyed it cover to cover. I did get a little feared that the ending may not have been how I wanted it, but you'll just have to read the book to find out what does happen.
Highly recommended read! :)
This amazing book is jam packed with drama, love, mystery and suspense, and humbling thoughts of a lost sheep coming back to the fold. I found myself tearing up multiple times while reading this book. I strongly identified with Crystal and some of the struggles that she was facing. She had a dream (but was it really her's?!?) to live out and was sidetracked into greater things along the way. That seems to be the story of my life but so far it's all turned out better than I could have anticipated.
This book is not for those who have a tendency to cry at the drop of the hat, however, I recommend that everyone read this! I had a hard time putting it down and enjoyed it cover to cover. I did get a little feared that the ending may not have been how I wanted it, but you'll just have to read the book to find out what does happen.
Highly recommended read! :)
July 22, 2023
Just a Hallmark style love story. Fast and easy read. Pulls you in and keeps you there. I read book 2 or 3 before I knew it was a series. And found that one to be good as well. They are different but both well written.
March 31, 2020
it was a good book i kinda felt it dragged out. glad everything worked out
June 13, 2009
8 years +
What can I say? I'm a sucker for romances set on ranches, with strong, silent, macho cowboys as the heroes. So as soon as I saw the title The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler, I knew I was going to do it as my first review.
I didn't even read the blurb on the back (which left me quite stunned when I realized it was a Christian romance).
The book starts in New York City, which considering the title took me by surprise for a few moments. Crystal McCord is following her dead twin's dream of becoming a Broadway actress. After seven years of little to no luck, her older adopted brother calls her home for a family meeting. He and his wife are moving, their parents are heading off on a mission trip and someone must mind the ranch until they get back.
Since Crystal's other four siblings all have very good reasons why they can't, the job falls to her. This is her first trip home of more than a day or two since her twin died. Her coming to grips with her guilt (both real and imagined) is one of the most interesting subplots of the book.
The family's neighbor, Jeremy Buchanan, hangs around to help her ease back into ranching life. Sparks fly from the moment they meet. Crystal and Jeremy's relationship deepens as she helps him search for his daughter, who was kidnapped 10 months before the book begins. This subplot is handled so well. Your heart just breaks for Jeremy and his little girl.
But aside from the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine, the plot that could have been the most interesting is Crystal's struggle to renew her relationship with God.
The reason I say "could" is because that aspect of the plot comes across as almost an afterthought. Throughout the entire book, Crystal believes that God will not accept her back because her sins are too great. That attitude never changes until the very end and it's done in such an abrupt way that it left me going, "Huh?"
Only one other aspect of the book bothered me. Despite the continued talk about religion, it didn't read like a Christian romance. Or at least not like any I've read before. First, it is strongly implied that the heroine has been having premarital sex with her boyfriend. That's a pretty big no-no in any Christian church. And second, the book does not end in a marriage proposal. It ends with the two main characters professing their love for each other, but not a single word of commitment passes between them.
Most Christian romances are books that I wouldn't mind letting my 11 year old son read, but I would not give him this one. It just doesn't promote the values that I firmly believe that type of romance novel should.
I really feel I'm going to have to give The Reluctant Cowgirl two different ratings. As a straight-on romance, I would give it 4 hearts. However, as a Christian romance, I will only give it 2.
What can I say? I'm a sucker for romances set on ranches, with strong, silent, macho cowboys as the heroes. So as soon as I saw the title The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler, I knew I was going to do it as my first review.
I didn't even read the blurb on the back (which left me quite stunned when I realized it was a Christian romance).
The book starts in New York City, which considering the title took me by surprise for a few moments. Crystal McCord is following her dead twin's dream of becoming a Broadway actress. After seven years of little to no luck, her older adopted brother calls her home for a family meeting. He and his wife are moving, their parents are heading off on a mission trip and someone must mind the ranch until they get back.
Since Crystal's other four siblings all have very good reasons why they can't, the job falls to her. This is her first trip home of more than a day or two since her twin died. Her coming to grips with her guilt (both real and imagined) is one of the most interesting subplots of the book.
The family's neighbor, Jeremy Buchanan, hangs around to help her ease back into ranching life. Sparks fly from the moment they meet. Crystal and Jeremy's relationship deepens as she helps him search for his daughter, who was kidnapped 10 months before the book begins. This subplot is handled so well. Your heart just breaks for Jeremy and his little girl.
But aside from the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine, the plot that could have been the most interesting is Crystal's struggle to renew her relationship with God.
The reason I say "could" is because that aspect of the plot comes across as almost an afterthought. Throughout the entire book, Crystal believes that God will not accept her back because her sins are too great. That attitude never changes until the very end and it's done in such an abrupt way that it left me going, "Huh?"
Only one other aspect of the book bothered me. Despite the continued talk about religion, it didn't read like a Christian romance. Or at least not like any I've read before. First, it is strongly implied that the heroine has been having premarital sex with her boyfriend. That's a pretty big no-no in any Christian church. And second, the book does not end in a marriage proposal. It ends with the two main characters professing their love for each other, but not a single word of commitment passes between them.
Most Christian romances are books that I wouldn't mind letting my 11 year old son read, but I would not give him this one. It just doesn't promote the values that I firmly believe that type of romance novel should.
I really feel I'm going to have to give The Reluctant Cowgirl two different ratings. As a straight-on romance, I would give it 4 hearts. However, as a Christian romance, I will only give it 2.
January 23, 2016
THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL is a fish out of water story, but the fish doesn’t know it yet.
Crystal McCord’s life goal is Broadway. Or so you think. What you really find out is that she is pursuing the dream of her sister, tragically killed after her high school graduation. Crystal, twin to Cami, fled her small hometown, running from the tragedy that has changed her life forever. She is determined to see Cami’s dream come true – to star on Broadway. But, it takes a trip home, and the interest of a cowboy dealing with his own heartbreak for Crystal to realize the life of a cowgirl is all she ever wanted.
Jeremy Buchanan refuses to give up on finding his little girl. After a disastrous relationship and marriage, his wife takes off with his daughter, leaving him to wonder where she is and will he ever see his little Beka again. With a singular goal in life, he doesn’t have time for outside distractions. That is, until Crystal McCord comes home to help her parents with the family ranch. Recognizing the wounded person that Crystal is, he finds that he relates to her because of the common thread they share – loss.
Crystal and Jeremy refuse to acknowledge their feelings for each other. Falling for each other was not part of either one of their plans, and only adds another level of complication to their life’s goal. They must choose to be happy, but neither feel they deserve it.
I enjoyed THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL. Like I’ve mentioned in past reviews, I am a sucker for anything set in the west. Give me a cowboy, open land, and a budding romance and I am hooked. THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL has all three and an engaging story as well. THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL may be predictable, but when a storyline keeps me interested until the end, I don’t mind at all.
Crystal McCord’s life goal is Broadway. Or so you think. What you really find out is that she is pursuing the dream of her sister, tragically killed after her high school graduation. Crystal, twin to Cami, fled her small hometown, running from the tragedy that has changed her life forever. She is determined to see Cami’s dream come true – to star on Broadway. But, it takes a trip home, and the interest of a cowboy dealing with his own heartbreak for Crystal to realize the life of a cowgirl is all she ever wanted.
Jeremy Buchanan refuses to give up on finding his little girl. After a disastrous relationship and marriage, his wife takes off with his daughter, leaving him to wonder where she is and will he ever see his little Beka again. With a singular goal in life, he doesn’t have time for outside distractions. That is, until Crystal McCord comes home to help her parents with the family ranch. Recognizing the wounded person that Crystal is, he finds that he relates to her because of the common thread they share – loss.
Crystal and Jeremy refuse to acknowledge their feelings for each other. Falling for each other was not part of either one of their plans, and only adds another level of complication to their life’s goal. They must choose to be happy, but neither feel they deserve it.
I enjoyed THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL. Like I’ve mentioned in past reviews, I am a sucker for anything set in the west. Give me a cowboy, open land, and a budding romance and I am hooked. THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL has all three and an engaging story as well. THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL may be predictable, but when a storyline keeps me interested until the end, I don’t mind at all.
August 6, 2014
This is ultimately a story of following your heart, even if it might mean taking a path you never before imagined. Though this storyline seems common on the outside, there's something about this one that makes it feel fresh and very uncommon. The change in Crystal as the story progresses is very visible as she slowly comes to grips with her past while drawing strength from her family, their ranch, and a certain neighboring cowboy.
Jeremy's ordeal with his missing daughter was heartbreaking, and it honestly caught me off guard because I initially didn't expect such a dramatic storyline...but it was great. It felt very real and kept me riveted while wondering what would happen; I really had no idea how things might turn out. I liked how Crystal pushed Jeremy to try different approaches, basically breathing new life into what seemed like a hopeless situation. Two heads are better than one, and that was certainly the case here as they worked together to find Jeremy's long-lost young daughter.
As for the ending: it's a good one, and I was ultimately happy with the way all the different situations were wrapped up. But if you want more, it's worth noting that Crystal and Jeremy's story is taken even further in the second book of the McCord series, titled "Cowgirl At Heart". (They are large supporting characters and some sections are even written from Crystal's perspective.)
I can easily and highly recommend "The Reluctant Cowgirl" to fans of the genre. I really enjoyed it and I'm not ashamed to say that it kept me up past an ideal bedtime several times! Strangely enough, it sat unread on my shelf for several years and now I can't believe I put it off for so long. It's simply too good to sit unread!
Jeremy's ordeal with his missing daughter was heartbreaking, and it honestly caught me off guard because I initially didn't expect such a dramatic storyline...but it was great. It felt very real and kept me riveted while wondering what would happen; I really had no idea how things might turn out. I liked how Crystal pushed Jeremy to try different approaches, basically breathing new life into what seemed like a hopeless situation. Two heads are better than one, and that was certainly the case here as they worked together to find Jeremy's long-lost young daughter.
As for the ending: it's a good one, and I was ultimately happy with the way all the different situations were wrapped up. But if you want more, it's worth noting that Crystal and Jeremy's story is taken even further in the second book of the McCord series, titled "Cowgirl At Heart". (They are large supporting characters and some sections are even written from Crystal's perspective.)
I can easily and highly recommend "The Reluctant Cowgirl" to fans of the genre. I really enjoyed it and I'm not ashamed to say that it kept me up past an ideal bedtime several times! Strangely enough, it sat unread on my shelf for several years and now I can't believe I put it off for so long. It's simply too good to sit unread!
September 18, 2012
I know that we are not meant to be judge a book by the cover people but OMG I love this cover so much , even though in comparison to other covers it is not that exciting - there is just something about this cover and the girl she is so radiant and beautiful.
In the Reluctant Cowgirl we meet Chrystle McCord , for the past seven years she has been living in the Big Apple as a struggling actress playing and flitting from part to part , on her last day in the play "Making a Splash" , she decides instead of sticking around for the after-party to surprise her soon-to-be fiance. However when she arrives home , she will be in for the shock of her life as she finds him in bed with her best friend.
Upset and nowhere else to go , Chrystle decides to head back home - the first time in Seven years besides her brother's wedding a few months back. Seven years ago , there was an accident in which her twin sister Cami died and if not for an argument Chrystle would have been with her. Not being able to get past the grief , she disappeared to NYC.
With no-one to look after the ranch when her parents are on holiday , Chrystle agrees to help run it with the help of next door neighbour Jeremy. Meanwhile, Jeremy is going through some struggles of his own , his wife disappeared along with his daughter 10 months ago - he has never given up hope and it seems that God maybe ready to do a miracle in both Jeremy and Chrystle's lives.
An amazing read and awesome start to what I can only imagine is a top series , if the other books are anything like this one.
In the Reluctant Cowgirl we meet Chrystle McCord , for the past seven years she has been living in the Big Apple as a struggling actress playing and flitting from part to part , on her last day in the play "Making a Splash" , she decides instead of sticking around for the after-party to surprise her soon-to-be fiance. However when she arrives home , she will be in for the shock of her life as she finds him in bed with her best friend.
Upset and nowhere else to go , Chrystle decides to head back home - the first time in Seven years besides her brother's wedding a few months back. Seven years ago , there was an accident in which her twin sister Cami died and if not for an argument Chrystle would have been with her. Not being able to get past the grief , she disappeared to NYC.
With no-one to look after the ranch when her parents are on holiday , Chrystle agrees to help run it with the help of next door neighbour Jeremy. Meanwhile, Jeremy is going through some struggles of his own , his wife disappeared along with his daughter 10 months ago - he has never given up hope and it seems that God maybe ready to do a miracle in both Jeremy and Chrystle's lives.
An amazing read and awesome start to what I can only imagine is a top series , if the other books are anything like this one.
April 25, 2009
This is a romance set in a small town in Arkansas. The main characters are Crystal, a girl with many siblings, most of whom are adopted who lost her twin sister, and with her sister, her faith; and Jeremy, a new rancher whose daughter was recently kidnapped by his ex-wife. His faith helps him through the days.
Crystal is an actress who lives in New York; Jeremy lives next to her parents. She comes home to lick her wounds after her play is cancelled and she finds her boyfriend and roommate in bed together. While there, she allows herself to be talked into taking over the ranch for a few weeks while her parents are on a mission trip and second honeymoon. Her brother arranges for Jeremy to help her.
While not exactly preachy, the Christian content of this book is obvious. The need to forgive and love our enemies is brought forth through Jeremy. Crystal's faith is renewed and she learns to follow the vocation God has for her. The church family is important to Jeremy and Crystal remembers they care for her too. Anytime people are sharing a meal, a blessing is said.
I enjoyed the book and if you are looking for a clean romance and either want or don't mind an overtly Christian message, I think you'll like this one. It is book one in a series about the McCord sisters so I suspect we'll see Crystal and Jeremy again.
Crystal is an actress who lives in New York; Jeremy lives next to her parents. She comes home to lick her wounds after her play is cancelled and she finds her boyfriend and roommate in bed together. While there, she allows herself to be talked into taking over the ranch for a few weeks while her parents are on a mission trip and second honeymoon. Her brother arranges for Jeremy to help her.
While not exactly preachy, the Christian content of this book is obvious. The need to forgive and love our enemies is brought forth through Jeremy. Crystal's faith is renewed and she learns to follow the vocation God has for her. The church family is important to Jeremy and Crystal remembers they care for her too. Anytime people are sharing a meal, a blessing is said.
I enjoyed the book and if you are looking for a clean romance and either want or don't mind an overtly Christian message, I think you'll like this one. It is book one in a series about the McCord sisters so I suspect we'll see Crystal and Jeremy again.
October 12, 2010
The Reluctant Cowgirl begins in New York, New York and rapidly moves to rural Arkansas. Crystal McCord is an aspiring actress who returns home after a breakup with her boyfriend needing to reconnect with her family. She ends up staying in Arkansas to take care of the family ranch while her parents are gone for about 6 weeks. Much changes for Crystal in the time she is home. She must conquer the pain of losing her twin sister, mend neglected relationships and recover from her recent breakup. Jeremy Buchanan, a new neighbor to her parents, quickly becomes a friend and someone she leans on as she struggles to overcome the memories of her past. She also has the opportuntily to help Jeremy in his search for his kidnapped daughter.
Christine Lynxwiler starts this series off well with The Reluctant Cowgirl and sparks your interest in the McCord family as a whole. There is enough interaction between Crystal's siblings that you want to keep reading to find out what happens to them all. Although I felt the romance between Crystal and Jeremy happened a bit to quickly especially since Crystal's relationship with her last boyfriend just ended, I enjoyed the budding romance between them. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and any other books by Christine Lynxwiler.
Christine Lynxwiler starts this series off well with The Reluctant Cowgirl and sparks your interest in the McCord family as a whole. There is enough interaction between Crystal's siblings that you want to keep reading to find out what happens to them all. Although I felt the romance between Crystal and Jeremy happened a bit to quickly especially since Crystal's relationship with her last boyfriend just ended, I enjoyed the budding romance between them. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and any other books by Christine Lynxwiler.
February 19, 2010
If there is one thing Christine Lynxwiler has a real talent for, it's turning the ordinary into something much more magical.
In THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL, we meet Crystal McCord, aspiring Broadway actress, and Jeremy Buchanan, budding rancher. When Crystal heads home to Arkansas to tend to the family ranch, she finds it as easy to sink into the life she once knew as it is hard to keep her mind off her career and New York City. Enter Jeremy - with plenty of baggage of his own - to help her run her daily chores, and naturally sparks fly.
Readers will find themselves invested in Jeremy's heartache almost instantly, watching both him and Crystal move through their troubles towards a blossoming romance and a rewarding ending. This familiar story is a fun, contemporary, light-weight romance with no slow-moving parts. Additionally, fans of Lynxwiler will enjoy the bit part cameos by the other Pinky Promise Sisters, as they help Crystal figure out what she wants from life. With so many McCord brothers and sisters, we can look forward to more in this entertaining series!
In THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL, we meet Crystal McCord, aspiring Broadway actress, and Jeremy Buchanan, budding rancher. When Crystal heads home to Arkansas to tend to the family ranch, she finds it as easy to sink into the life she once knew as it is hard to keep her mind off her career and New York City. Enter Jeremy - with plenty of baggage of his own - to help her run her daily chores, and naturally sparks fly.
Readers will find themselves invested in Jeremy's heartache almost instantly, watching both him and Crystal move through their troubles towards a blossoming romance and a rewarding ending. This familiar story is a fun, contemporary, light-weight romance with no slow-moving parts. Additionally, fans of Lynxwiler will enjoy the bit part cameos by the other Pinky Promise Sisters, as they help Crystal figure out what she wants from life. With so many McCord brothers and sisters, we can look forward to more in this entertaining series!
May 16, 2010
I liked this book. Again it is refreshing to be able to read a book without worrying what is going to be on the next page in terms of quality of material. This is the first novel in the McCord sister romance series. This one focuses on Crystal. She has struggled for 7 years with the death of her twin sister, Cami. In those 7 years she left Tennesse and moved to New York to follow her sister's dream of performing on Broadway. She realizes this when another play closes and after finding her boyfriend wasn't faithful. She heads back home to the ranch to escape and ends up helping out while her parents are away on a mission trip. While there she faces the hurt that has been buried inside. She also faces the fact she can live without performing on Broadway when she meets the new neighbor, Jeremy. She helps in the reuniting of Jeremy and his daughter from when her mother kidnapped her. In the process they grow to depend on each other and fall in love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2013
This was a new - to me - author. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
Crystal is trying to live a dream. Unfortunately, the dream of making it on Broadway was her twin sisters dream. Because the twin sister died in a car accident seven years earlier, Chrystal felt she had to follow the dream ... and at the same time run away from the memories and hurt caused from missing her sister.
Jeremy was a cowboy searching for his kidnaped six year old daughter. To try and keep his mind off of his daughter, he agreed to help his neighbors with their ranch.
When Jeremy and Chrystal end up helping out on her parents ranch, they discover what real dreams are made of, as well as the meaning of true love. Be ready to shed a few happy tears throughout the book.
Looking froward to reading book two in the series, Cowgirl At Heart, and discovering what comes next for Jeremy and Chrystal, as well as Crystals sister, Elyse.
Crystal is trying to live a dream. Unfortunately, the dream of making it on Broadway was her twin sisters dream. Because the twin sister died in a car accident seven years earlier, Chrystal felt she had to follow the dream ... and at the same time run away from the memories and hurt caused from missing her sister.
Jeremy was a cowboy searching for his kidnaped six year old daughter. To try and keep his mind off of his daughter, he agreed to help his neighbors with their ranch.
When Jeremy and Chrystal end up helping out on her parents ranch, they discover what real dreams are made of, as well as the meaning of true love. Be ready to shed a few happy tears throughout the book.
Looking froward to reading book two in the series, Cowgirl At Heart, and discovering what comes next for Jeremy and Chrystal, as well as Crystals sister, Elyse.
August 25, 2015
This book is a nice, sweet romance. Crystal's twin sister died in an accident at 18 and crystal is determined to make her sister's dream come true. So she keeps auditioning for roles on Broadway. The show she manages to land is cancelled and she catches her boyfriend cheating. Crystal goes home to take a much needed break and re-evaluate. That is when she starts spending time with Jeremy, whose got issues of his own. His daughter was kidnapped by her drug addict mother and he is struggling to find her even after her mother dies. Crystal finally gets her break into Broadway but is it truly what she wants? I enjoyed this book. If you are looking for a nice, easy romance that will make you smile, then this is the book for you.
August 5, 2009
The Reluctant Cowgirl is a story about following one’s dreams as well as romance. Basically the cowgirl leaves home at 18 pursuing a career on Broadway and returns seven years later to help take care of her family’s ranch. This is a Christian Romance that isn’t completely like a fairy tale as most. My favorite part was when the little girl directed her dad and Crystal acting out “Sleeping Beauty” in the barn. Although the ending is predictable, I liked it because there is enough tension and reality to keep things interesting. The Reluctant Cowgirl addresses grieving, letting go of the past, making tough choices, love of family, and God’s love.
April 24, 2015
It is unusual that I would rate a primarily "romance novel" with 4 stars. But, this was really good. Delving into themes as grief and guilt over the loss of a twin, finding your own dreams or fulfilling the dreams of the one who died, basically--moving on after death. It could be because my Dad recently died that I'm more sensitive to these issues, or that it is just a plain "good story." In any case, it was just what I needed. Light-hearted enough to relax with, issues weighty enough to think about, and questions of faith needing to be addressed without heavy handed preaching. I'm not a cowgirl, nor a Texan, but I enjoyed this book's story.
February 7, 2017
I loved the first book! The beginning with me confused about certain things, but as events progressed, it all started making sense very quickly. As with any other romance novel, the plot was fairly predictable, but altogether, it was very well worth the read.
September 16, 2009
I definitely liked the story, somewhat predictable in a way and characters always seem to fall in love so fast in books (then again that does happen sometimes in real life especially if people go through a hard situation that creates bonds), but I felt this was believable. I look forward to the other books in the series. It was kinda neat to see characters from previous of Lynxwiler's books (Rachel and Lark etc.) as rather minor characters in this book.
March 8, 2010
A fun, feel good read. I was actually glad that there was no marriage proposal at the end. Just because two people fall for each other, doesn't mean that they have to rush to get married! Hopefully Crystal and Jeremy's story continues a bit in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2015
If you read, "Along Came a Cowboy" before this one, as I did, you might be disappointed in the story. The writing is good enough but not interesting enough to pull me through. Predictable and lacking depth. It's an easy read.
January 14, 2010
I will finish it, but it's kind of cheesy... kind of along the lines of what some of Lori Wick's books are.
September 12, 2009
This book was ok. The thing was, it was a disappointing ending. I thought it was not explained too well.
April 12, 2010
I enjoyed the story. A little slow starting but then had trouble putting it down.
September 2, 2010
Not as good as Moshin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
October 29, 2010
Yeah, I like a good romance. What else can I say...
July 28, 2014
Book 1 of 3
February 1, 2011
Good book. Reminded me of Karen Kingbury's writing. A good clean romance.
March 15, 2013
Well, this sure was a pleasant romantic story. Very realistic and well written. I look forward to the other books in the series. I liked the hero and the heroine.
October 18, 2013
I enjoyed this story about Crystal who moved to New York to follow the dream of being a Broadway star. But does she really want to be on Broadway or is she running away. It is a good story.
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