The Cowboy's Belated Discovery

Saddle Springs Romance #5

by Valerie Comer

In this epiphany romance, all she asks is one shot at winning his heart, but he can't take one more chance on love.
Tori Carmichael has been in a holding pattern since her dad’s debilitating accident. Now that the family’s ranch resort is on stable footing again, she’s ready for her future, but her plan to become a teacher dims in the glow of her dreams about the newest cowboy in Saddle Springs. Too bad there seems little sign Garret will ever return her interest.

Garret Morrison had planned to resume his music career after taking time to regroup from a shattered relationship, but his aging parents need his help with their riding stable. He pours himself into worship ministry at the local church, avoiding starry-eyed Tori for her own good. Every woman he’s loved has left him, one way or another, and he can’t face the possibility one more time.

What will it take for Garret to discover that love is worth the risk? And will that realization come too late to save what might have been?

About the Saddle Springs Romance series
Welcome to Saddle Springs, the fictional western town that’s home to Montana Ranches Christian Romances! Revel in the lush mountain scenery with rocky peaks, tumbling rivers, and peaceful lakes. Meet the cowboys who ride the ranges, mend fences, and are lassoed by romance in this new Christian cowboy romance series.

1. The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion
2. The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker
3. The Cowboy's Romantic Dreamer
4. The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage
5. The Cowboy’s Belated Discovery
6. The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride

More Christian Romance to buy or borrow from USA Today bestselling author Valerie Comer!
1. Urban Farm Fresh Romances, ongoing series, starting with Secrets of Sunbeams
2. Garden Grown Romances, complete 4-book series, starting with Sown in Love
3. Farm Fresh Romances, complete 6-book series, starting with Raspberries and Vinegar
4. Christmas in Montana Romances, complete 3-book series, starting with More Than a Tiara
5. Riverbend Romances, complete 5-novella series, starting with Secretly Yours

If you love Christian contemporary romance series that focus on engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith — clean, wholesome, sweet, and inspirational romances — you’ve come to the right place! This is farm and foodie fiction at its finest.

That’s for later. Right now?

Why not buy or borrow THE COWBOY’S BELATED DISCOVERY today and fall in love with a cowboy?

Genres: Romance

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2019

About the author

Valerie Comer is constantly amazed that living, talking, dreaming characters appear in her mind and flow from her fingertips and, from there, to her delighted readers. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, sharing rural life in western Canada with her husband, adult children, and adorable grandkids.

Valerie is a two-time USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She is known for writing engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

CONTACTING VALERIE
Newsletter | Website/Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
valerie@valeriecomer.com

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tori wears her heart on her sleeve and has a look in her eyes that says "please, please, please" but Garret is so not interested. He loved and lost and "Hello, my name is regret..." But what's a guy to do when she is determined and doesn't even take a plain, flat-out no for an answer?



I liked that Tori had a back-up plan whereas Garret seemed content to just whatever. I hoped he'd come to peace with parts of his past, but in real life they will always haunt him.



There is a strong faith message that bordered on preachy and a strong hero waiting to take to the arena for the next book in the series.



Don't miss this book or the series, or any story written by a favorite romance writer, Valerie Comer.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Tori wears her heart on her sleeve and has a look in her eyes that says "please, please, please" but Garret is so not interested. He loved and lost and "Hello, my name is regret..." But what's a guy to do when she is determined and doesn't even take a plain, flat-out no for an answer?



I liked that Tori had a back-up plan whereas Garret seemed content to just whatever. I hoped he'd come to peace with parts of his past, but in real life they will always haunt him.



There is a strong faith message that bordered on preachy and a strong hero waiting to take to the arena for the next book in the series.



Don't miss this book or the series, or any story written by a favorite romance writer, Valerie Comer.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

[Gretchen Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming tear-jerker.

He says he's never going to get married. She doesn't think he knows she exists. Until a wedding brings them together, only for him to turn her away in front of everyone…

This story captured my imagination. So much history and hurt in Garrett's life created the potential for a lot of mystery and misunderstanding between he and Tori. But I kept rooting for this cowboy who knew the Bible so well! 

[Karen Baney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Inspirational Romance, Cowboy Romance, Small-Town Romance
Location: Montana
Romance: Very clean. Light kissing.
Faith: Strong message of community and our need to connect with others on a deeper level. Allowing God to help us by allowing others close enough. Tons of Scripture references in this one. See comment in detailed review.


How does a hurting man with a heart-breaking past put his faith into action to trust God and others again? This is the central struggle Comer presents in Garret’s character. He knows Scripture. He leads worship. But does he apply God’s Word to his life in his most broken places? Do we?

Sometimes you read a novel, a work of fiction that just sticks with you. This is one of those. I could not put the book down and days after finishing it, I have been reflecting on how well do I put my faith into action for my own broken places? To me, this is a great example of the lifelong change God makes in our hearts to become holier (sanctification). Comer captures the essence of this struggle beautifully through Garret.

There were a lot of Scripture references in this book. I loved the way the characters memorized Scripture and sought to understand it. There was repeated mention of John 10:10 about “the abundant life” that concerned me at first, as I know this verse is often misapplied. [Like all Scripture, our job as readers is to discern for ourselves what a verse means in context of the chapter and Bible as a whole.] With this novel, I believe Comer represented the verse in context and applied it well.

Even though this is the fifth book in the series, the reader can easily pick it up and not miss a beat. The author does a good job of relaying the relevant details from previous books without being repetitive.

Overall, I found this book to be very thought-provoking as well as a suspenseful romance. Comer keeps us guessing throughout the entire book about whether Garret will risk his heart. I loved, loved, loved this book, and highly recommend it to fans of contemporary inspirational romance.

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching Tori pine after Garret for several books of this series, I was equal parts excited for their story and dreading it. It was hard to see Tori continually being ignored and even outright rejected, and I have to admit she's a stronger woman than I am! I also struggled to understand what she even saw in Garret because they really didn't seem to know each other all that well. I personally can't imagine pining for someone I barely knew for over 5 years. But this isn't my story; it's Tori's, and as such, it was a really good story. I appreciated her giving spirit and the way she was willing to selflessly give of herself for those she loved. It was interesting to see her struggle to figure out what she actually wanted to do when she realized that no one really needed anything from her anymore. And I was happy to see her stand up for herself when she really needed to. She proved to be a lot more bold and brave than I expected her to be.

My favorite part of this story was actually Garret's relationship with his parents. Their love for him and the way it changed his life was inspiring to me. Some of his choices and his wallowing frustrated me, but I really appreciated the way his parents lovingly persevered with him and kept pointing him back to Scripture, trusting that the Father would complete His work in their son's life.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and painful stories I've read. There is so much sadness and hurt for much of the story. I confess it was difficult to power through at times, but I felt sure it would be worth it. And it was! As with others in this series, Christian friends step in and pray and speak truth to each other.. it is beautiful to see the body doing what we are supposed to do. Gal 6:2.. carry each. others burdens... I also love that the main male character grew up in a family that memorized Scripture together and in the midst of his struggles, those scriptures came to mind. The power and necessity of memorizing scripture is a discipline I encourage.

Excellent Read! Valerie Comer has quickly become a favorite author!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It almost wore me out early in the book. Except for her feelings for Garrett, Tori was a strong, intelligent and independent woman. Garrett, however, was so tied to the past that he had quit living in the present. His struggles almost became too much for me.

Hard to admit, but his angst slowed down the flow of the story so much that I almost stopped reading further. Glad to have finished and that they got the HEA.

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garrett and Tori

Tori has wanted to get Garrett’s attention for a long long long time. But he would just ignore her. Why? She wondered what made him not even want to talk to her. Once again in this series, the Lord is a big part of this book. What a blessing. And the story begins. Enjoy.

[Cecelia Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic all the way through

Wow I'm having a hard time picking which book so far in this series is my favorite. Each one is special on it's own. This story really touch my heart so much. Great book.

[June Hoskinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

i’ve been impressed by the whole series and i recommend it to everyone that loves romance novels it’s sweet and still romantic enough for anyone

[Margaret Fisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

This isn’t my favorite of the Saddle Springs Romance series, but it belongs to a tough crowd. There’s a solid story with growth in both trust and understanding as Garret and Tori come to terms with the fact that they deserve happiness.

Where I called many of the others “inspy lite,” this one pulls strongly on the Bible to inspire the characters to change and grow. With the way the citation followed every biblical verse, and they were numerous, it almost felt like the characters quizzed each other. However, true to the series, this book is not about faithful who had fallen away from God, but rather actively faithful who needed to remember God is active in their lives as well. They already understand God is not causing the tough times but have forgotten He’s there to see you through those times and into a brighter future.

Garret’s past hangs around his neck like a yoke, binding him to a path filled with sorrow, betrayal, and abandonment. He sees a flaw in himself that brings pain to anyone who gets close. Instead of chancing that, he holds himself apart and gives his friends a superficial connection, for their protection, sharing the fun and easy times while hiding his pain. He believes if his friends find out the truth, touch the deeper side of Garret, they will abandon him as everyone else seems to one way or another. Garret’s self-condemnation is understandable, whether or not I agree with him.

Tori feels connected to Garret almost from the start, but he seems oblivious. After five years, she’s about ready to give up on receiving anything in return. That doesn’t mean she’ll abandon him in his time of need, but she needs to figure out her own future…one without him in it.

On some level, maybe it’s instinct that draws them together, sensing how both of their lives were driven by circumstances rather than choice. Their goals are similar, to choose a future rather than drift, but Garret must come to terms with his past, and Tori needs to recognize she is allowed to dream.

Tori caused me the most trouble as a character, and with the heavily traditional message in some scenes, I worried she reflected that theme rather than owning her opinions. She’d never had the chance to pursue her dreams, and by the point of the story, she’s half sure she doesn’t have the right. Circumstances may have made the decisions for her in the past, and I don’t disagree with those choices, but she seems to see love for Garret and love of teaching as a binary equation. To accept or pursue one means the loss of the other. This bugged me in the beginning because, while I’m all for compromise in relationships, a foundation laid in a truth denied is unlikely to last. Not giving anything away, but by the end, it’s clear Tori’s awkward presentation was not author intrusion, but her growth point when Garret’s struggles held the center stage through much of the beginning.

You may have figured out this is not an easy or light read. It digs deep, and more than a few of the events cut a little too close to home for me. Also, while I mentioned the quizzing, all those biblical verses strengthen and focus the characters. Not only that, but as with the other books in the series, there are moments of humor to lighten things up that simultaneously give characters an opportunity to reflect. The presence of a strong community offering support and connection when most needed continues to be a standard as well. Ultimately, though not shying away from the painful moments, whether past, present, or future, this book shows how it’s not too late to act, hope, and/or accept the help of those around you.

The book offered a lot to think about with strong characters facing difficult challenges. While it isn’t my favorite, it still lives up to the expectations I have for the series, and I’m happy to have spent this time with the characters. For those worried the Saddle Springs Romance series is drawing to a close, there is one more book to come, and if I’m not mistaken, at least two spinoff series twinkling in Valerie Comer’s eye.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garret is a amazing man who has gone through a lot of pain and losses in his life. Tori is a wonderful woman who is always helping others. Tori has been in love with Garret for years and he doesn’t know it. Garret won’t allow anyone to get close to him. The author will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens with these two special people. The characters in this book are all very special people. You will feel God working throughout this wonderful story. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could.

[ELMorehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Garret continue to let Fear rule his heart, as Tori leaves Saddle Springs?⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Cowboy's Belated Discovery" is Valerie Comer's 5th Story in the "Saddle Springs Romance" series. VC has Masterfully Created another Engrossing, Heart Rending, and Inspiring, Christian, Western Romance!

Garret's past has left emotional scare, that keep him from pursuing a 💗 Relationship with Tori, even as he shares his musical talent at church. But his world gets turned upside down, when his Mom gets terminally ill🤒☠️.

See how Jesus breaks & heals the stronghold Fear 🤯 has had in Garret's life. I Totally Recommend you read how God draws Tori & Garret together into their 💞 Forever Love!❤️📖

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary Christian Romance. This is the 5th book in the Saddle Springs western series, this one focusing on Garrett Morrison and Tori Carmichael. They have been looking at each other for years, and are the only two single ones left in the group. Tori is ready to make a move but Garrett isn't ready to acknowledge the hurts from his past. Can he stop fearing the past and live the abundant life God has in store for him?
I love this community, of people that care for each other so deeply. This was another satisfying tale of two people opening their hearts to love. And I loved seeing more of Sawyer, I can't wait to read his story next!

[Andrea Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori has loved Garrett for a few years now and is beyond knowing how to get his attention. Garrett is busy trying to protect everyone from the destruction he things he’s caused. Friends and family come together to get through to him, and well as Tori in some areas. Beautiful story as we learn about these two and see the group from Saddle Springs and hit some reminders many, if not all of us can use. Love this series and looking forward to whatever the author has planned next.

[Ashley Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read, As Always

This is book 5 in the Montana Ranches series. You should probably read them in order, starting with The Cowboy's Christmas Reunion. That said, I loved the story! I can absolutely relate to how Tori feels and I really wanted to shake Garret. Valerie's stories are always worth the read, so stop reading my review, and BUY THE BOOK ALREADY!

[Teresa Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional

It isn't always that I feel like I connect with the characters in a book. I spent my share of time needing a tissue. I ached for the hurts they inflicted unwittingly, because of the hurts suffered in the past and a total lack of communication. Valerie Comers Cowboy series has been by far my favorite.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie Comer does not disappoint! Lots of good tension, spiritual lessons, and of course, romance! If you can start at the beginning of the series, you'll know more about all the characters in this book, but it can stand alone.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply complicated...

Valerie again continues the story of Saddle Springs knitting together the complexities of the characters past to the realities of their present & their future. Found me wishing for more & devouring the book in one sitting!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

On-point perspective about how we can let our history paralyze us about moving forward. I didn't really relate to this story, but it was an interesting POV of how some people walk through life. Heavy faith content.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cowboy story by this author. Well written with lots of emotions being dealt with. How will this love story turn out???? Be sure and get yourself a copy. Highly recommend.