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Brush Creek Cowboys #1
Brush Creek Cowboy
Go up the canyon to Brush Creek Ranch, where a community of retired rodeo cowboys are looking for love...
He's a cowboy raising his son alone. She's a widow with a chocolate obsession. Can Brush Creek cowboy Walker get over his losses and fears in order to build a future with Tess?
Former rodeo champion and cowboy Walker Thompson trains horses at Brush Creek Horse Ranch, where he lives a simple life in his cabin with his ten-year-old son, Michael.
He's worked with Tess Wagner, a widow who came to Brush Creek to escape the turmoil of her life to give her seven-year-old son, Graham, a slower pace of life. Together, they run a cotton candy stand at the town's Heritage Festival every fall, and Walker gets up the nerve to ask Tess to dinner.
Neither of them wants to inflict more sorrow and suffering on the other than they've already endured. So when Tess confesses that her breast cancer has flared up again, Walker backs off. Way off.
He'll have to decide if he'd rather spend even a short time with Tess and Graham than not have them in his life at all. Tess wants to feel God's love and power, but she'll have to discover and accept God's will in order to find her happy ending. Can Walker and Tess make a family with their sons, the horses, and a lot of chocolate?
**Previously published as A Wedding for the Widower**
He's a cowboy raising his son alone. She's a widow with a chocolate obsession. Can Brush Creek cowboy Walker get over his losses and fears in order to build a future with Tess?
Former rodeo champion and cowboy Walker Thompson trains horses at Brush Creek Horse Ranch, where he lives a simple life in his cabin with his ten-year-old son, Michael.
He's worked with Tess Wagner, a widow who came to Brush Creek to escape the turmoil of her life to give her seven-year-old son, Graham, a slower pace of life. Together, they run a cotton candy stand at the town's Heritage Festival every fall, and Walker gets up the nerve to ask Tess to dinner.
Neither of them wants to inflict more sorrow and suffering on the other than they've already endured. So when Tess confesses that her breast cancer has flared up again, Walker backs off. Way off.
He'll have to decide if he'd rather spend even a short time with Tess and Graham than not have them in his life at all. Tess wants to feel God's love and power, but she'll have to discover and accept God's will in order to find her happy ending. Can Walker and Tess make a family with their sons, the horses, and a lot of chocolate?
**Previously published as A Wedding for the Widower**
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2020
About the author
Liz Isaacson
511 books1,225 followers★ USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, and KINDLE ALL STAR! ★
Liz Isaacson writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com. Join her fandom by texting COWBOY to 801-618-2114 for exclusive sales and freebies.
Liz Isaacson writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com. Join her fandom by texting COWBOY to 801-618-2114 for exclusive sales and freebies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
July 7, 2018
This is a short Christian romance. It was an ok read. Any time I finish a book I need to give it more then just one star. It held my interest enough for me to finish. This story felt like someone went threw a full length novel and pulled out all the filler and just gave you the bare bones of the story. It just had huge gaps. One chapter would end and you would be a week later or a month later. When you are writing a romance what is happening in that time and the development of a love story is important. I just needed more with this. It didn't feel complete......and I just didn't invest. Very clean, talk of religion.
August 29, 2022
Tess Wagner and Walker Thompson have both lost the love of their lives and been left with sons to raise. They have been good friends for several years when they both realize there is a spark of something between them.
This was probably one of the best novellas I've read. Isaacson in just a few short chapters pulls your heartstrings with every emotion it is possible to feel. Her characters are so realistic and believable, and she draws you into the small town of Brush Creek with all it wonderful residents. Touching and tender with a swoon worthy cowboy hero and a sweet, chocolate obsessed heroine who has fought cancer and won along with two typical boys and a couple of large lovable dogs, it was a wonderful short read. Top that off with a wonderful spiritual thread that has them leaning on their faith and learning God is in control, and it definitely becomes a 5 star read.
I loved the cover photo but it is a bit misleading as to what the real wedding was like.
This was probably one of the best novellas I've read. Isaacson in just a few short chapters pulls your heartstrings with every emotion it is possible to feel. Her characters are so realistic and believable, and she draws you into the small town of Brush Creek with all it wonderful residents. Touching and tender with a swoon worthy cowboy hero and a sweet, chocolate obsessed heroine who has fought cancer and won along with two typical boys and a couple of large lovable dogs, it was a wonderful short read. Top that off with a wonderful spiritual thread that has them leaning on their faith and learning God is in control, and it definitely becomes a 5 star read.
I loved the cover photo but it is a bit misleading as to what the real wedding was like.
March 1, 2018
***3.5 stars***
This is a cute story about second chances. Two people who have been widowed find love. The book has angst in the middle, he gets cold feet. It is also about blending families, they both have a son from their previous marriages. They try to balance romance with children in the mix.
This is a cute story about second chances. Two people who have been widowed find love. The book has angst in the middle, he gets cold feet. It is also about blending families, they both have a son from their previous marriages. They try to balance romance with children in the mix.
December 1, 2023
It was a good romance but I didn't realize it was a christian romance. Being atheist, this was kinda meh for me. But the characters were sweet and the romance was between two widowers which was unusual and nice to see. 3.5 ⭐
July 2, 2017
This is a tender story about loss and trials and letting yourself love again. The story is touching and the characters are great. I really enjoyed it!
Tess is so sweet! I can't imagine being in her situation. She had been through so much! I loved her reaction to Walker asking her out, and the way she tried to kept things moving along.
Walker struggled a bit with how to handle this new relationship. I admired his concern for his son. The way Walker handled things drove me crazy sometimes, but he sure got it right in the end!
This was a great start to the series! Brush Creek seems like a wonderful place to live, and a great place to set a series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
Tess is so sweet! I can't imagine being in her situation. She had been through so much! I loved her reaction to Walker asking her out, and the way she tried to kept things moving along.
Walker struggled a bit with how to handle this new relationship. I admired his concern for his son. The way Walker handled things drove me crazy sometimes, but he sure got it right in the end!
This was a great start to the series! Brush Creek seems like a wonderful place to live, and a great place to set a series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
June 13, 2017
Liz shines yet again with this tender & soul touching read. Walker & Tess have both endured the unthinkable. Loss of their spouses. They both have sons who are friends but more over they find themselves attracted to each other with ever deepening affections. Do they act on their feelings to try to move forward with their lives or will their own sorrows & past pain keep them from doing so? MUST READ! I voluntarily read this ARC & this is my honest review
Read
July 7, 2018dnf at Chapter 7.
There is no depth to this story or the characters. I am not invested in them, or care enough to want to read on. It seems to be little more than a sequence of meetings between the two people concerned. The writing lacks emotion or 'love' as far as I can tell and there is no real conflict or tension or even a reason to read on.
So I won't.
Not rating but I would only give it 1 star (I don't like it)
There is no depth to this story or the characters. I am not invested in them, or care enough to want to read on. It seems to be little more than a sequence of meetings between the two people concerned. The writing lacks emotion or 'love' as far as I can tell and there is no real conflict or tension or even a reason to read on.
So I won't.
Not rating but I would only give it 1 star (I don't like it)
May 2, 2018
I am always a little hesitant to read a book labeled as a “Christian Romance” - because a lot of the time the books can be preachy. But lately I’ve found myself a little worn out by the usual heroes and the redundant plots offered up in today’s contemporary romances, so I decided to give this one a try. I am really glad I did!
Walker Thompson lost his wife in a car accident several years back. He’s been living his life, working on a horse farm, and raising his nine year old son. Recently, his best friend’s wife has been trying to set him up with a number of eligible woman from their small town in Utah.
Tess Wagner lost her husband in a tragic accident as well. In addition to also raising a seven year old son alone, she’s faced a battle with cancer. A new transplant to the town of Brush Creek, Tess has some close friends, and her son Graham has settled in well. But recently she’s been considering that maybe it’s time for more in her life.
When Walker and Tess both decide it’s time to move forward, it seems natural for the good friends to take the next step with each other. Watching them fumble those few awkward conversations as they move from friends to boyfriend/girlfriend was sweet and cute, and I loved how natural and normal the progression of their relationship was. No insta-love, no jumping right into bed together. They are both cautious and careful - for their children’s sake, but also for their own. The conflict they dealt with was realistic, and also heartbreaking. But how they dealt with it was also heartwarming - it was refreshing to see things play out in a mature way, without over-the-top angst or drama. Tess is a strong woman who doesn't let Walker jerk her around (and really, that sounds bad - Walker is a great guy, if not just a little out of his depth and out of practice, and also dealing with some very real and heartbreaking baggage from his past), and I loved how she stood up for herself, but also welcomed Walker back once his sincere apology was offered.
While faith did play a part in how Walker and Tess dealt with the stress and difficulties they faced together, it never got preachy. Often times Christian authors put proselytizing as the main purpose of their book instead of a good plot, but that was not the case here. In fact, this was a novella length book (in the description it says this series was designed to be stories you can read in an evening - which is perfect for me right now with all that is going on), and it still had excellent character and plot development. I found myself thoroughly engaged in their story and desperately wanting them to get their happy ever after!
I will definitely put Liz Isaacson on my “read in the future” list. I wish I didn’t have 10 other books that need to be read right now, because I’m really tempted to set them aside so I can read the other five books in this series (I mean really...it would only take me five more nights, right?!). This book had charming characters, the good kind of “drama”, and a sweet ending for a sweet couple. Who couldn't use more of that?!
Walker Thompson lost his wife in a car accident several years back. He’s been living his life, working on a horse farm, and raising his nine year old son. Recently, his best friend’s wife has been trying to set him up with a number of eligible woman from their small town in Utah.
Tess Wagner lost her husband in a tragic accident as well. In addition to also raising a seven year old son alone, she’s faced a battle with cancer. A new transplant to the town of Brush Creek, Tess has some close friends, and her son Graham has settled in well. But recently she’s been considering that maybe it’s time for more in her life.
When Walker and Tess both decide it’s time to move forward, it seems natural for the good friends to take the next step with each other. Watching them fumble those few awkward conversations as they move from friends to boyfriend/girlfriend was sweet and cute, and I loved how natural and normal the progression of their relationship was. No insta-love, no jumping right into bed together. They are both cautious and careful - for their children’s sake, but also for their own. The conflict they dealt with was realistic, and also heartbreaking. But how they dealt with it was also heartwarming - it was refreshing to see things play out in a mature way, without over-the-top angst or drama. Tess is a strong woman who doesn't let Walker jerk her around (and really, that sounds bad - Walker is a great guy, if not just a little out of his depth and out of practice, and also dealing with some very real and heartbreaking baggage from his past), and I loved how she stood up for herself, but also welcomed Walker back once his sincere apology was offered.
While faith did play a part in how Walker and Tess dealt with the stress and difficulties they faced together, it never got preachy. Often times Christian authors put proselytizing as the main purpose of their book instead of a good plot, but that was not the case here. In fact, this was a novella length book (in the description it says this series was designed to be stories you can read in an evening - which is perfect for me right now with all that is going on), and it still had excellent character and plot development. I found myself thoroughly engaged in their story and desperately wanting them to get their happy ever after!
I will definitely put Liz Isaacson on my “read in the future” list. I wish I didn’t have 10 other books that need to be read right now, because I’m really tempted to set them aside so I can read the other five books in this series (I mean really...it would only take me five more nights, right?!). This book had charming characters, the good kind of “drama”, and a sweet ending for a sweet couple. Who couldn't use more of that?!
February 1, 2021
I thought this was a very good cowboy romance.
September 25, 2018
I don't really know what I was expecting from this story but it surpassed my expectations anyway, it was short but it was full of difficult and challenging usually taboo subjects, grief, death, surviving and finding love again.
Walker was a single dad who lost his wife in a car accident, he was mourning her for years focussing solely on his work on the ranch and his son but until he opened his eyes to what he was missing he didn't realise he was ready to move forward in his life. When he found Tess and really saw her, it was beautiful and sweet to start with then well he screwed it up but thankfully not for good.
Tess was a single mum who lost her husband in a sheet metal factory and was learning how to be alone and move on and give a life that her and her son could be proud of, like walker she struggled with guilt at first but with her health scares she learnt to live day by day and I love that spirit in her.
Overall this book I would say is a love story but it's a different kind of love story not the sexual lust insta-love burning love but the slow deep down forever kind of love,nits sweet gentle and slow and it shows great courage and belief in faith for the characters.
Walker was a single dad who lost his wife in a car accident, he was mourning her for years focussing solely on his work on the ranch and his son but until he opened his eyes to what he was missing he didn't realise he was ready to move forward in his life. When he found Tess and really saw her, it was beautiful and sweet to start with then well he screwed it up but thankfully not for good.
Tess was a single mum who lost her husband in a sheet metal factory and was learning how to be alone and move on and give a life that her and her son could be proud of, like walker she struggled with guilt at first but with her health scares she learnt to live day by day and I love that spirit in her.
Overall this book I would say is a love story but it's a different kind of love story not the sexual lust insta-love burning love but the slow deep down forever kind of love,nits sweet gentle and slow and it shows great courage and belief in faith for the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2020
i really enjoyed this story. A retired rodeo rider Walker who is a widower with a son lives in Utah and is a ranch foreman. He moved there after the death of his wife. Tess is his friend and is a widow with a young son. Walker and Tess every year run a cotton candy booth to raise money for charity. Walker is finally ready to move on with his life and starts a relationship with Tess. This was a well written story. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. There was mention of different types of peanut butter sandwiches that I really do need to have a peanut butter banana sandwich now.
June 9, 2017
Come sit, curl up in a chair and be prepared for a cry fest with " A wedding for the Widower"
This is a beautiful romance about being willing to take a second chance at love after loss.
The beautiful lyrics of Homeward Bound by Marta Keen Thompson is a poignant backdrop to the story.
It shows that with God's love and the direction we can find love even during life's trials and tribulations.
This is one of Liz Isaacson's best stories and I highly recommend it's reading.
This is a beautiful romance about being willing to take a second chance at love after loss.
The beautiful lyrics of Homeward Bound by Marta Keen Thompson is a poignant backdrop to the story.
It shows that with God's love and the direction we can find love even during life's trials and tribulations.
This is one of Liz Isaacson's best stories and I highly recommend it's reading.
February 3, 2018
A lovely, clean, feel-good story. A spin-off from the Gold Valley series, which is also a spin-off from the Three Rivers Ranch series.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the novels in this series & catching up on the ones I haven’t read yet in the others :)
Looking forward to reading the rest of the novels in this series & catching up on the ones I haven’t read yet in the others :)
November 1, 2017
Good book
This was a good book. It was well written and moved along well. It was a little bit shorter than I like.
This was a good book. It was well written and moved along well. It was a little bit shorter than I like.
March 21, 2025
Brush Creek Cowboy is the first book in the Brush Creek Cowboy series by Liz Isaacson. Walker Thompson is a former rodeo champion who now trains horses at the Brush Creek Horse Ranch with his ten year old son, Michael. Tess Wagner is a widow who came to Brush Creek with her son, Graham, for a fresh start after the tragic loss of her husband. It has been a quiet life until Walker, out of the blue, asks her to dinner. Neither wants to endure the pain of loss again, but is willing to take a chance. However, when Tess’s breast cancer comes back, Walker backs off. He begins to feel the hole their presence left in his life. He must decide if the risk of loss is worth the love they could share in the meantime? Can they lean on God in order to find a happy ending?
Brush Creek Cowboy is a clean, Christian romance. I love a second chance at love and the doubts and questions of blending families. I enjoyed Walker and Tess’s introduction and back stories. However, everything about this story was abrupt and had no time for development in their relationship. I was bored. I needed more. The potential for an emotional story was there but I needed more. There was no real depth in their emotions and it was too short. Even if Walker and Tess had known each other for years, their relationship seemed rushed. I did like the faith discussions and the reliance on and leaning to God in times of trouble and joy. Overall, Brush Creek Cowboy was a decent story but I felt no investment. I most likely will not be continuing this series. If you like clean, Christian romance with cowboys, I recommend Brush Creek Cowboy.
Brush Creek Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Brush Creek Cowboy is a clean, Christian romance. I love a second chance at love and the doubts and questions of blending families. I enjoyed Walker and Tess’s introduction and back stories. However, everything about this story was abrupt and had no time for development in their relationship. I was bored. I needed more. The potential for an emotional story was there but I needed more. There was no real depth in their emotions and it was too short. Even if Walker and Tess had known each other for years, their relationship seemed rushed. I did like the faith discussions and the reliance on and leaning to God in times of trouble and joy. Overall, Brush Creek Cowboy was a decent story but I felt no investment. I most likely will not be continuing this series. If you like clean, Christian romance with cowboys, I recommend Brush Creek Cowboy.
Brush Creek Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
June 3, 2022
I liked that this book was a Christian romance. However, I found the male lead, Walker very unlikeable. In my opinion, he was incredibly selfish and self-centred. At times, I couldn’t even tell if he loved her or not. His actions did not match that of a person who was supposedly first a friend to the female lead. He was mostly a complete arse when it came to her cancer, and it was messed up because that was when she needed him the most.
Tess was quite patient with him through his awful behaviour, which I often wasn’t pleased about, but she wasn’t a pushover. I liked her character as the female lead, and I really hoped the best for her.
In all, I believe the book might have been more enjoyable if the plot wasn’t so rushed at points it should have been slower and more information given. Nonetheless, it was a nice, short read.
Tess was quite patient with him through his awful behaviour, which I often wasn’t pleased about, but she wasn’t a pushover. I liked her character as the female lead, and I really hoped the best for her.
In all, I believe the book might have been more enjoyable if the plot wasn’t so rushed at points it should have been slower and more information given. Nonetheless, it was a nice, short read.
May 23, 2021
Tess and Walker
Tess has a 7 year old son Graham and has been fine since her husband Brandon's death 5 years ago in a freak accident at the sheet metal shop he owned. Ok so she has also battled breast cancer but she is doing great, even the scans she had done just a couple of months ago testify to it. Walker has a similar problem, he has a 9 year old son Michael and has been doing a great job of raising him on his own since his wife died in a car accident 6 years ago. What happens when his boss Landon's wife Megan tries to play matchmaker? Will Walker rebel or maybe try to beat her to the punch so to speak by asking someone out on his own? Will Tess agree to go out with him? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Liz Isaacson!
Tess has a 7 year old son Graham and has been fine since her husband Brandon's death 5 years ago in a freak accident at the sheet metal shop he owned. Ok so she has also battled breast cancer but she is doing great, even the scans she had done just a couple of months ago testify to it. Walker has a similar problem, he has a 9 year old son Michael and has been doing a great job of raising him on his own since his wife died in a car accident 6 years ago. What happens when his boss Landon's wife Megan tries to play matchmaker? Will Walker rebel or maybe try to beat her to the punch so to speak by asking someone out on his own? Will Tess agree to go out with him? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Liz Isaacson!
February 28, 2024
I enjoyed this quick listen/read. It was an adorable cowboy romance and available on my Spotify premium membership.
I was a bit perplexed by how the main characters mostly only spent time together once a year when they did a cotton candy stand at the local fair. But then it gets changed to best friend status 🧐
Also they got real touchy real fast.
But overall the love story was adorable and the character growth was touching.
I like these short bingey reads when I’m between books or need a palate cleanser.
Christian review:
Squeaky clean 🧼
I was a bit perplexed by how the main characters mostly only spent time together once a year when they did a cotton candy stand at the local fair. But then it gets changed to best friend status 🧐
Also they got real touchy real fast.
But overall the love story was adorable and the character growth was touching.
I like these short bingey reads when I’m between books or need a palate cleanser.
Christian review:
Squeaky clean 🧼
December 23, 2023
I loved this story. Tess and Walker have been great friends for the last four years, working a booth together at the fair and then finally one year something different sparks between them while setting up the booth. They are both widowed, and they both have 1 young son. I love reading how their relationship moved from friendship to love, it is beautiful, swoony and heartfelt. A wonderful story by Liz!
January 8, 2023
They've been friends for years, but then their feelings began to change. Both of them know what it feels like to lose a spouse and raise a child alone. Tess is a cancer survivor and has learned to celebrate each day. He is about making her happy until his son starts having issues. It's going to take a leap of faith for them to find their happy ending.
May 20, 2025
Touching
Tess and Walker are best friends and pondering whether they can make more of their current situation. Can Walker find love after his first love Libby? Can he stand by Tess and her fragile health situation? Is Tess willing to find love after her tragic loss of Brandon?
Easy and enjoyable reading.
Tess and Walker are best friends and pondering whether they can make more of their current situation. Can Walker find love after his first love Libby? Can he stand by Tess and her fragile health situation? Is Tess willing to find love after her tragic loss of Brandon?
Easy and enjoyable reading.
July 1, 2025
A short, wholesome romance about second chances and finding love again after loss. Although, there was a lot missing here. I sometimes wonder why romance books can be long and I realised when reading this book why, because the fluff and the filler parts really make a story. This was missing the fluff & filler which meant I struggled to keep interest. But it was wholesome.
June 29, 2026
Second time around
Nice easy reading. Taking it slow in dating the second time around for both of then. Both have young boys who get along. They are cautious about becoming one family in case problems arise. But when cancer rears it's ugly head they decide they would rather spend what time they may have together.
Nice easy reading. Taking it slow in dating the second time around for both of then. Both have young boys who get along. They are cautious about becoming one family in case problems arise. But when cancer rears it's ugly head they decide they would rather spend what time they may have together.
March 6, 2021
Bush creek cowboy
This story deserved the highest rating I could give. A very warm and encouraging story with just the right amount of human relationships. Would diff gently recommend
This story deserved the highest rating I could give. A very warm and encouraging story with just the right amount of human relationships. Would diff gently recommend
May 22, 2021
Faith
Faith is amazing. Having had breast cancer myself, I know what it takes to have faith when facing that very ugly word. It took Walker stepping back, but eventually realizing that with faith they could face anything.
Faith is amazing. Having had breast cancer myself, I know what it takes to have faith when facing that very ugly word. It took Walker stepping back, but eventually realizing that with faith they could face anything.
June 19, 2021
You get the feeling of being right in the midst of the book with the characters and you will laugh, cry, and celebrate with them. This is a beautifully written book of second chances; beating the odds and finding who you are and what your place in the world is.
March 10, 2022
Almost heartbreaking
Wow, what a rollercoaster of emotions this book send a you through.I think cancer has touched most of us in one way or another. Keeping faith through a trial like that can be a battle at times, like grieving.
Wow, what a rollercoaster of emotions this book send a you through.I think cancer has touched most of us in one way or another. Keeping faith through a trial like that can be a battle at times, like grieving.
January 28, 2023
What a clean sweet romance!
You think you’ll be with your spouse forever. But sometimes Heaven needs the spouse and you find yourself alone. Then you realize your friend is good looking and you don’t have to live life alone anymore.
You think you’ll be with your spouse forever. But sometimes Heaven needs the spouse and you find yourself alone. Then you realize your friend is good looking and you don’t have to live life alone anymore.
October 13, 2023
Liz Isaacson handles the subject of breast cancer realistically and compassionately. The fears and strengths of those around the cancer patient are explored as well. Then there's the romance! The icing on the triple chocolate cake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews