The Black Sheep's Salvation

Rocky Mountain Family #1

by Deb Kastner

His imperfect past will become his son’s best hope…

Can a single dad earn a second chance

with the woman whose heart he broke?

A fresh start for Logan Maddox and his son, who has autism, means returning home and getting little Judah into the educational program that best serves his needs. The problem? Molly Winslow—the woman he left behind years ago—is the teacher. As Judah pulls them together, can Logan convince Molly that this black sheep deserves one more chance at love?

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2020

About the author

Publishers Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 novels and two million books in print, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational and sweet western stories set in small communities, often including animals as major secondary characters.

Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.

She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.

Reviews

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan Maddox has moved back to his hometown with his son Judah, who has autism. Logan will have his parents' help with Judah. More importantly, he will be able to enroll Judah in an educational program that will help him. However, running into Judah's new teacher, Molly Winslow, his high school sweetheart from years ago.

Molly is more than a teacher, however. She and her siblings train service dogs. The siblings always have a dog with them when about so that the dogs acclimate to a number of conditions. This is how her great dane Rufus meets Judah and Logan. Rufus and Judah click right way and Molly quickly realizes that Rufus is absolutely perfect for Judah.

What an endearing story. I loved having a child with autism as part of the story and how a service dog can be so instrumental when it comes to assisting such a child. Along with that, this second chance romance was utterly heartwarming. An excellent start to a delightful series.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some serious catching up to do. Deb Kastner has written over fifty novels and I've only read four of them! I'm hanging my head in shame and offering no excuses, just promising to do better because mercy, this author knows how to write an emotionally compelling love story and I've obviously been missing out...on a lot!

So, here we are at the beginning of a new series about six siblings (eeep, that means there's sure to be five more books coming out!) who live on a Christmas tree farm and run a rescue dog/service training center. Can it get any better than that?!

Aside from the toe-curling, and at times emotionally sucker-punching, reunion romance we get lots of sibling hijinks and a Harlequin (how appropriate) Great Dane named Rufus. And if that still doesn't scream "read me" I guarantee the cute and vulnerable seven-year old will melt your heart. Super excited about this series and eager to read more about the Winslow clan. I'm swooning just thinking about all the happily-ever-afters in store for Deb Kastner's loyal fans(of which I am now one.)

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, satisfying read that tugs at the heart strings! Lots of interesting facets to this story - repentance and transformation in the past, a sweet autistic child, second chance love, and the most adorable service dog. The relationship between Logan and Molly felt real, as did their initial tension and growing friendship. I enjoyed the glimpse into service dog training and loved the scenes where Ruff and Judah bonded. Molly has several siblings and I hope to see more of them in future stories.

[Doris Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The woman whose heart he broke, might just be his son's best chance.



Heartwarming romance about love and second chances. I loved Molly and Logan's families, and how they interfere in their own ways, some encouraging and others discouraging. This is an enjoyable smalltown read, with a great sense of community and friendship.



Logan Maddox is returning to hometown, with his young son, Judah, but he never expected to have his son's teacher be his high school sweetheart, Molly Winslow. Logan is a wonderful father, he wants to do everything he can to help his autistic son succeed.



Molly is a gifted teacher and is working on a training her dog Rufus to be a service dog for people with autism. She is passionate about helping others, but the past is hard to forget, she's determined to do her bet for Logan's son, and I loved her patience and her willingness to help.



Overall, a enjoyable and entertaining read, sweet, with great characters and a heartwarming plot. I especially loved Judah and Rufus. Definitely recommend if you like heartwarming romance and second chances.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Myra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good reunion romance, and this one, about a single dad finding his way back to the woman he once hurt so badly, especially tugged at my heart. Rufus, service-dog-in-training for the hero's autistic son, adds an extra layer of charm. So glad I came across this novel by the talented Deb Kastner!

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet story of second chances and forgiveness. And I loved seeing a child with autism portrayed in a truthful light.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan is a widower with a son Judah, who has autism. He relocates home to be closer to his parents for assistance and for a highly rated special needs program at the local school. When he arrives for an orientation meeting, he is shocked to find the lauded special education teacher is Molly, a woman he dumped during college. We quickly learn that the split was not amicable, with Logan misunderstanding their long distance relationship due to immaturity and quickly impregnating and then marrying his late wife. We follow Logan and Molly as they reconnect through Judah and truly blossom as a unit! I enjoyed the mentions of faith in their lives and how their devotion to Christ has made them grow and become better people. Part of Harlequin's Love Inspired line of inspirational romance, this story fits the bill. Despite the odd title, this is a fantastic read! It's the first in a new series, so I am looking forward to following Molly's siblings on their own journeys in the future. If you like uplifting romance, then this one is for you!

I received an ebook of this title from the publisher via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

[Elaine Applebury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series for Deb Kastner. Wow! What a start! This story is heartwarming. Logan Maddox and Molly Winslow were the perfect match until they went off to separate colleges. Molly stayed true, but Logan took a slightly wilder track and ended up married to someone else and having an autistic son. Several years later Logan returns to Whispering Pines, a widower, with 7 yr old, Judah, looking to enroll him in the special educational program there. Surprise! Molly is the Special Ed teacher, that not only specializes in autism, but in training service dogs. Can Molly forgive Logan and work with Judah? Can a Great Dane puppy make a difference in a young boy’s life? Ready for the next book!

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to a new-to-me series!

Molly is called in over summer to speak with her principal. When there she finds Logan her high school love and his son with special needs, Judah. As the special education teacher helping students be integrated into the gen rd classroom, she is called on to help Judah to get ready to start in her class in the fall. But can she handle seeing Logan all the time, and dealing with all the pain seeing him brings up?

The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some kisses but no steam or action. The characters are vivid and engaging. The Christian ideals are a major part of the story. Read this series in order to get the most out of each story.

[Natasha Jones-Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this brand new heartfelt story about Molly, Logan, Judah and Rufus! And I applied anybody who can work with children with autism and I applaud anyone who can train service dogs to help people in need.. This story was truly amazing, and it definitely had a happily ever after too it.. I really don't want to give too much away for this because I want others to be able read it and fall in love with it on their own.. I definitely can't wait to see what's next for the Winslow Siblings

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this second chance, clean, romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story. This has several big issues that it tackles and it seems to have a lot of action, sometimes followed by a reaction. I'm really cheering for all the characters in this story to work their way through it. I've given it a 5* rating and want to read another. Really enjoy these Love-inspired series.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. The story was well paced. The main characters were really wonderful to follow on their journey. I hadn’t read this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was not disappointed!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[Mary Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Deb Kastner, and I will definitely read more. All at once, realistic and hopelessly sweet. Absolutely loved Judah, Logan's autistic son. Rufus, his therapy dog, was also a heartthrob. I've already downloaded Book Two of the series, Opening Her Heart.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reels you in from the first few words. Deb Kastner writes about a precious autistic boy and his sweet dad who both need a special someone to make their family complete.

It was a fast, sweet, romantic read with faith woven throughout, what a refreshing and delightful novel!!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read...and a great reminder that no matter how badly we mess up, God will forgive and work things out. Judah was an awesome character, and he made the book

[Kaye Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book...Everyone will enjoy this book

[Jackalyn]

A good, gentle read. A few poor grammar issues (not is the character's dialog, but in the storytelling in general) that distract from the story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about broken young romance, a special needs son and dog, coming home along and being pushed together because he is now the special needs teacher.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently started reading through all of the Love Inspired K9 companion books in order. I quickly found that many of them are connected to other love inspired series. So I did some digging and created my own list to show which ones go with which series.

The first K9 companion book is Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner, which is actually booked for of her Rocky Mountain family series. So I decided to go back and read books one through three.

This is book one and it was a delight to read. While I loved Logan and Molly’s story, the highlight for me was Judah. Judah is Logan‘s son and he is on the autism spectrum. Kastner did a wonderful job portraying him.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good & clean

I was very disappointed in this book but l love that the hero and the heroine talk about the Lord alot. But it was so bland,and l always used to read her books. Oh well l will continue to read her books.

[Brenda Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this store I will be reading the series. Can’t wait to see what is happening with the siblings.

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderfully sweet story! Loved it!