“Curl up in your favorite reading chair and get lost in the pages of this book.”—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Country Strong
Sometimes love is just out of reach…
Rancher and military veteran J.P. McCall loves simple pleasures. The satisfaction of working his family’s land. The freedom to come and go as he pleases. But ever since his two closest friends have married and started families of their own, J.P. realizes what he’s been missing. He's known plenty of women, but now he craves finding The One. And then Sara Worth comes crashing back into his life. She’s his buddy’s sister, the woman who was always out of reach.
Single mom Sara Worth has her hands full. After a disastrous early marriage, she is now writing bestselling books by day and caring for her two teenagers by night. That doesn’t leave a lot of me time. But when an innocent request for J.P.’s help leads to an unforgettable kiss, she’s intrigued—and unsure. Giving love a second chance feels impossible. But when the man from Sara’s past resurfaces, threatening everything she holds dear, J.P. will do whatever it takes to protect the woman who’s stealing his heart.
Painted Pony Creek
Book 1: Country Strong Book 2: Country Proud Book 3: Country Born
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane. Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats. Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters. More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
J.P McCAll works his family ranch. He is a military vet. But he sees his friends settling down and having families. He feels he is missing that in his life. Sara Worth is a single Mom and her kids are about to go off to college. She is a successful writer and asks JP for help learning how to ride. She has known him a long time but just realizes maybe he could be a romantic interest? Meanwhile, her ex blows into town for some smarmy reason. And she has to figure out what is his angle this time. Lots of real issues and adventure!
I enjoyed this series. Three good men that have been together since childhood are there for each other no matter what. This third book brings JP and Sara together. They have known each other forever. Sara is a fierce single mom. When her ex rears his ugly head and trouble comes will they be able to weather what ever comes? Does love conquer all?
I gave this three stars because for the first 200 or so pages I was enjoying it enough and then so many different plot twists were thrown in it really made my head spin. Not necessary and really made this one a stinker.
Hot cover but the writing UGH! I hate writers who say the same lines in different books. Not original when repeated. This is book 3 of series. JP is a rancher. He has known Sara for years, as she is a sister to one of his best friends. But after a phone call to ask him to go riding, he sees her in a different light. She has two teens and is a writer. She has not dated for a long time and she is on high alert when she and JP get together because her first husband caused horrible trust issues for her. Besides the romance, we find someone who is running wild horses and deer..... to their deaths with quads s and cycles. Also bear tattoos that catch a local boy in its jaws.
This is the story of how the third member of The Painted Pony Creek Three, J.P., and his best friend’s sister fall in love and figure out how to make a relationship work. J.P. is a rancher, veteran, and stocks-bond-trading expert who used to play the field, but now is ready to settle down with a family. Sara is a single mother of two teenagers and secretly, the author of a bestselling mystery series, who isn’t sure what she wants next from life. They suddenly fall for each other, but then must figure out how their hopes for the future, desires from a relationship, and reality of their situations are going to play out in the long run.
This book requires a lot of suspension of belief, but I am a fan of 90-minute cheesy romances, so I can easily bring the SOB to the table! I wish I could’ve learned more about the crime mystery within. I wish the beginning of Sara and J.P.’s love story was fuller. I also wish the resolution played out longer. The story wrapped up rather quickly.
I found this series at the beginning of the pandemic. I wasn’t a reader then. I had fallen out of practice. But I read Country Strong and it was wonderful to fall into a book, again. These three books aren’t terribly intellectual, but they are charming, sexy, and genuine. You can dream with The Painted Pony Creek Three and the interesting, women they find their way to. I am excited for more in the series!
Set in Painted Point Creek Montana, “Country Born” opens as rancher, military veteran and stock-trading expert J.P. McCall opens his heart to published author Sara Worth his best friend’s sister and a single mother raising two teenagers. As the romance sparks not only will Sara be faced with the heartbreak of her past when her devious ex-husband appears wanting to reconnect with his kids but as J.P. and his friends search for the gang tormenting the mustangs and deer in the area.
Tension ignites as Sara’s ex-husband tries to upset her family especially her relationship with her son Eric who stumbles into a bear trap and faces the possible loss of his leg while J.P. and his friends search for a killer. Emotionally charged Sara struggles to control not only the threat to her family as the new romance in her life heats up but also while J.P. faces the discovery of a new relationship in his life as this well-written romantic tale flows quickly and seamlessly to a satisfying ending.
Among the personalities that bring the story to life are wealthy, kind-hearted and amiable J.P. McCall; stubborn, strong-willed and independent Sara Worth; even-tempered and practical sixteen-year-old Haley Worth; and her brother the troubled, belligerent seventeen-year-old Eric. These characters and others are the glue in the story that keep you focused on every page until finished.
I enjoyed “Country Born” and look forward to reading the other books in the trilogy.
Loved this book by Linda Lael Miller in her Pony Creek this is Sara Worth's and J.P. McCall story. Sara is a divorce mother of two teenage children working as an Author and J.P a farmer. She returned some years back with her children after leaving her husband with the support of her brother Eli Garrett helping her raise them. Her Eric has been in trouble with the law and is mending fences however someone is setting up traps around town hurting animals. Eli enlists the help of his long time friends J.P, and Cody to help find out who is doing this. In the meantime J.P. and Sara begin to build a relationship with each other but Sara puts a holt to their relationship due Eric been seriously injured by one of the set traps and also her feelings of if she would want more children with J.P. J.P learns also that is a father to three years old Tyler and his mother wants to hand over custody to him. J.P tells Sara takes her to meet him cause if they end up together with each other Tyler will part of his life. I felt like the ending needed more. But a great read highly recommend this book can't wait to read her next.
I loved this romance by Linda Lael Miller, a new author for me. I did not read the 1st and 2nd book in this series, yet I could follow the history of the characters. The romance between Sara Worth and JP McCall develops deeply in a reasonable time with their childhood history as a background. Sara's ex husband-Zachary- returns to town and causes trouble. JP and Sara take time to evaluate their relationship in terms of Sara not wanting children since she has a 17 yr old son and a 15 yr daughter and JP wanting them.JP gets a surprise announcement, from Eli the sheriff and his best friend, that changes his life and Sara's. So there are twists and turns and a dangerous gang hurting cattle and people on farms. So I recommend this novel for romance, danger, family intrigue, and family support. I will catch up with #1 and #2 and the new one Christmas in Painted Pony Creek that was presented as a preview at the end of the novel.
Another in the Painted Pony Creek series, in which JP McCall is loving taking charge of his family's ranch and easing away from the nightmares that still occasionally disturb his sleep. But he's lonely and when he decides to ask Sara Worth, long a family friend, for a date, it could become the end of that solitary existence he's had for so long.
But Sara is riding herd on two teenage children, one of whom has been in trouble recently, and is part of a too-busy life as a published novelist.
When trouble comes to the ranch in the form of the death of a teenage boy, the entire town helps to learn what's going on, but not before Sara's son is caught in a bear trap that threatens to cause him to lose his leg. Oh and there's the sudden appearance after 15 years of Sara's ex-husband, a real sleezebag.
How will all this end, especially when another child--this time 3 years old and JP's son for sure--shows up? Read and reach for the tissues.
Rancher and military veteran J.P. McCall has always enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. But seeing his two best friends find love, happiness and family has him thinking about what is missing in his life. Being around his best friend's sister has him longing for more
Single mom Sara Worth has her hands full raising her children on her own after getting out of a disastrous marriage. Now she has become a best selling author, raising two teenagers -- one of whom will test her stamina on more than one occasion. She has spent all of her time dedicated to making sure her kids have everything they need. She has not had any time to just set aside time for herself. But one innocent request from J.P. along with an unforgettable kiss has her feeling and wanting more.
The past and unexpected surprises will test J.P. and Sara and will make them decide what is important..
Sara Worth comes back into his life. Sara is a best-selling author and raising her two children. J.P. scares Sara as she has feelings for him she has not had for a man in a very long time. Her ex-husband comes back into her life wanting to see his children. Eric, their son wants to know his dad. Hailey, their daughter does not.
Something is hurting animals. J. P. and his friends find a person who got killed by stepping into a trap.
They had to find out who is doing this and why.
Eric gets hurt when he steps into one and almost loses his leg.
J. P and Sara are friends first with history and now they are developing a relationship.
Country Born, the third book in the Painted Pony Creek series by Linda Lael Miller, captures your heart from its onset, with its engaging…heart stopping - J. P. McCall…characters and unique storyline. Having the ideal balance of tension, suspense (will he, won’t he), mysterious/dangerous circumstances, and romance this story is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. Woven throughout is subtle humor, razor sharp dialog, and an intelligence that Ms Miller is known to incorporate into all her stories. Hopefully this is not the last we’ll see of Painted Pony Creek, Montana.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Country Born, book #3 in the Painted Pony Creek trilogy, was a plum to read. J.P. McCall works his family land. Sara Worth is a single mother of two teenagers. Book of second chances that was funny, (laughing to myself) angry and sad in one novel. There is a lot of Eli Garrett the sheriff from Book #2 Country Proud, as he tries to catch the people killing the wild animals. Throw in Cord Hollister from Book #1 Country Strong and you have the trio of friends doing what they do best. Under the beautiful blue Montana skies, see how J.P. and Sara learn to trust and love again. If you love cowboys and love stories, this book from Linda Lael Miller will make you smile.
Well, the third friend has finally found love and the journey was not easy but no true love has a smooth path. J.P. McCall had finally hit the time in his life that he was ready to settle down and have a family and he set his sights on Sara Worth who he had known for years. She had married soon after high school and had two kids before she realized that her husband was not faithful. After the divorce, it was sixteen years before Sara heard from him again but here he was back in Painted Pony Creek causing trouble. Add in a horrible accident and this journey to happiness makes quite a few detours. This was a warm and loving story of families and communities. Great read
Sara has always been part of J.P.’s life however he never saw her as more than his best friend’s sister until he did.
Sara is a single mother to her teenaged daughter and son and they as well as her career have been her whole world since her marriage ended years earlier. JP has always been her friend but lately he has begun to feel like so much more.
This is an enchanting story about love and family as Sara and JP overcome some turmoil so that they can have the future they both deserve.
Someone in Painted Pony Creek is going around harassing the wild horses in the area, to the point of death, and setting bear traps on ranchers' lands. J.P. McCall is on the watch, but is also watching out for Sarah Worth, who's older son, Eric, was in trouble the year before. And then she finds out that he's been in contact with his father, who deserted the family when Eric, and his sister Halley, were young. Then Zach Worth shows up. Sarah isn't sure why, but she doesn't trust hiim farther than she could throw him. But he's blinding Eric with smarmy charm.
It was a good romance novel. I feel the romance started to brew at the right pace. It wasn't too fast or too slow. I do like some mystery so I would of enjoyed reading more about the criminal activity into the traps that were happening. I liked how the author threw in the ex husband and father of Sara's kids into the mix. I would have liked to see a more dramatic story line involving him. It did have more smut than I would have liked, I had to skip a few pages as I don't like to read descriptive sexual scenes. Overall, wasn't my favourite but I did enjoy the storyline.
I liked it well enough. It was like reading a hallmark movie. Super predictable. I wish the main characters had more chemistry and more of a storyline between them. There were a lot of plot twists thrown in there which were interesting, but I thought the story should have revolved more around the romance between the main characters I stead of them having steamy chemistry, their romance abruptly being interrupted by life's dramas and then BAM, let's get hitched! In all, it passed the time needed to pass, and it wasn't terrible.
COUNTRY BORN by Linda Lael Miller, book 3 of the Painted Pony Creek series.
Another wonderful romantic tale about how an ex-military cowboy, J.P. McCall, finds love with Sara Worth, his best friend’s sister. Sara, a single mom of two teenager, is intrigued and unsure about giving love a second chance, especially after her disastrous early marriage. Linda Lael Miller keeps her stories intriguing with picturesque descriptions both the town and countryside, and likeable characters
J.P. meets up with Sarah Worth. They have know each other since they were kids. Her brother is one of best friends. Sarah is divorced with 2 teenage kids. Her ex husband suddenly show up since the kids were little. He trys to get the kids to be his friend. Then her son get in a serious accident. Her ex does not go to the hospital to see their son. He turns out to be not a nice man. In the mean time J.P. is there for her. Is it love after all these years. Another great by Linda Lael Miller.
This is the third book in the Painted Pony Creek series and it was another page turner. This was the story of J.P. McCall, injured war veteran who comes back to Painted Pony Creek to heal and resume his life. Hi two best friends are now happily married and he feels like he is missing something. Then, single mom Sara Worth catches his eye.
The characters are delightful and there is an element of mystery that adds to the story.
This is the third book in the Painted Pony Creek series. It is the store of wounded veterans/rancher J.P. McCall and his best friend’s sister, divorced writer Sara Worth. Both are lonely and Sara makes a move. Their relationship is complicated by Sara’s two teenaged children and the sudden reappearance of her long gone ex. This was a little disjointed because of its various subplots, but a decent read.
This was a sweet story. I truly enjoyed it. My only complaint was the “masculine but not in a toxic way” statement. Masculinity is not toxic! I love masculine men, and this diatribe has ruined it! Please, I beg you to not ruin your stories with any “woke” BS. One of the only places to go in todays world to escape it is romance novels. Don’t ruin a good thing!
J. P. McCall is a rancher and military veteran suffering from PTSD. while it has gotten better, he still suffers flashbacks. He finds himself looking at Sara Worth, sister of his best friend. She is divorced with two children and an author of westerns. With all this baggage, it is a start and stop type relationship but they have fallen in love.
Loved this book, finished it one day!! Country Born is JP’s book in this series, he gets his HEA with Sara Worth (Eli’s sister) & we can’t forget his service dog Trooper. The book has great characters, danger, romance, all the feels. I highly recommend this book & series, you won’t be disappointed!!
J. P. McCall and Sara Worth both grew up in Painted Pony Creek. Sara married early and had 2 children, but the marriage ended early, leaving Sara to raise her children on her own. J. P. joined the army and was badly wounded in Afghanistan. Mostly recovered from his wounds, J. P. works the family ranch. Now J. P. is ready to settle down and Sara is the target of his interest.
Another great story, thank you Linda Lael Miller. They have known each other for years. JP was her brothers best friend for over 20 years. Not sure what caused the change but change it did. Now to get things straighten out. It takes a few twists and turns to get to our happy beginnings.
Another great book by Linda Lael Miller. I love the characters in this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of Linda’s books.