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Coming Home to North Dakota #3
Cowboy Stealing My Heart
Five divorces, three boys, one snowstorm and two people who want to be anywhere other than where they are. Only God could use it all to make a beautiful love story.
Bellamy Levine is the highest paid actress in Hollywood, but she just inked her name on her fifth divorce settlement and her personal life is in shambles. Again.
She vows it’s for the last time.
That’s why she’s rented the entire vacation spot in rural North Dakota and intends to spend the holidays alone, figuring out what she’s going to do with her life.
Calhoun Powers was blindsided when an old classmate rolls into Sweet Water claiming the oldest of her three boys is his. He knows for a fact the kid isn’t his son, but he finds himself watching all three kids while he renovates vacation houses for his neighbor.
God seems to be testing him in a strange way when he ends up snowed in with Hollywood’s biggest movie star – five times divorced – and three boys who aren’t his, but who need a dad…and a mom.
Can two people who come from completely different worlds find common ground and build a family together?
Books in the Coming Home to North Dakota Series:
Cowboy Walking Away
Cowboy Coming Home
Cowboy Stealing My Heart
Cowboy Finding Love
Cowboy Dreaming Alone
Cowboy Rescuing Me
Cowboy Dancing All Night
Cowboy Falling Hard
Cowboy Looking at Me
Cowboy Wanting Everything
Cowboy Whispering My Name
Cowboy Marrying the Lady
Bellamy Levine is the highest paid actress in Hollywood, but she just inked her name on her fifth divorce settlement and her personal life is in shambles. Again.
She vows it’s for the last time.
That’s why she’s rented the entire vacation spot in rural North Dakota and intends to spend the holidays alone, figuring out what she’s going to do with her life.
Calhoun Powers was blindsided when an old classmate rolls into Sweet Water claiming the oldest of her three boys is his. He knows for a fact the kid isn’t his son, but he finds himself watching all three kids while he renovates vacation houses for his neighbor.
God seems to be testing him in a strange way when he ends up snowed in with Hollywood’s biggest movie star – five times divorced – and three boys who aren’t his, but who need a dad…and a mom.
Can two people who come from completely different worlds find common ground and build a family together?
Books in the Coming Home to North Dakota Series:
Cowboy Walking Away
Cowboy Coming Home
Cowboy Stealing My Heart
Cowboy Finding Love
Cowboy Dreaming Alone
Cowboy Rescuing Me
Cowboy Dancing All Night
Cowboy Falling Hard
Cowboy Looking at Me
Cowboy Wanting Everything
Cowboy Whispering My Name
Cowboy Marrying the Lady
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2022
887 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
October 9, 2022
Act or Real
3boys dropped off at a garage, their mom saying Silas is their father. An actress who is running from her fifth divorce. Can God stir in them the love to become a family.
3boys dropped off at a garage, their mom saying Silas is their father. An actress who is running from her fifth divorce. Can God stir in them the love to become a family.
May 19, 2023
From Hollywood to Sweet Water
Cowboy Stealing My Heart (that’s a title I can understand!), book 3 in Jessie Gussman’s Coming Home to North Dakota series, follows Calhoun, third Powers brother, as he waits for the woman God has for him—and almost misses seeing the one placed in front of him!
Bellamy Levine is the “It Girl” in Hollywood—and one of its biggest gossip targets, with five divorces in her past. She wants to escape from the nonstop drama, so she rents an entire camping village in North Dakota and prepares to “find herself” as a person of worth without depending on a man to build up her confidence with his compliments. Instead, she finds her cabin vandalized and uninhabitable. The only other cabin left with electricity and running water is Calhoun’s. Smell the interference of the matchmaking Piece Makers quilters? Yes, they’re guilty!
Calhoun was confronted by a woman who swore they shared a “tryst” after graduation and he fathered a son. This is completely false—Calhoun has never had a trust of any kind, having decided at age 15 to wait for the girl God had for him and kept his vow for the next 15 years—but he identified with the three young boys whose mother had no qualms about dumping them all on Calhoun so he could “make up for shirking his responsibilities” to the boy who isn’t even his. Calhoun’s mother had walked out of the family, leaving her sons and daughter devastated even though they had a father who wanted them. He sees himself in them, so he demands to take all of them forever. To do that, he becomes their legal guardian. He moves them into his cabin and meets Bellamy, who had stopped him for directions the previous day. She’s surprised and puzzled by his small entourage, but Bellamy just wants him to repair her cabin. He has to order new parts, and some of them need to be special ordered. Until they arrive at the hardware store, she’s welcome to stay at his cabin with the boys…
Over the next couple of weeks, Bellamy learns the hard way that boys cannot be cajoled into doing their schoolwork (their mother “homeschooled” them by putting books on the table, then doing whatever she wanted while they didn’t study). The younger two, ages seven and eight, can’t even read, and the ten-year-old has few math skills. Calhoun takes on the task, but when he leaves them with Bellamy, she quickly loses control and ends up hanging from the second-floor railing holding a sheet (don’t ask). She finally hits on using her acting abilities to tell a history story and explain word problems so everything sticks in the boys’ brains. Calhoun sees her using her skills and admires her perseverance in getting through to these lost boys.
Bellamy, meanwhile, has been observing Calhoun and growing to admire his loyalty and dedication to doing what God wants regardless of how he looks in others’ eyes. It doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful and he’s handsome!
Calhoun, Bellamy, and the boys develop a daily routine as a “family”, which might cause tongues to wag in town but doesn’t bother Calhoun because they know the truth and God knows it, so the town’s opinion doesn’t matter. They end up in a serious discussion about serving yourself versus serving others, considering God’s plan, and not letting your past define your future.
To prepare for a predicted snowstorm they go into town and visit the Piece Makers, who confess to vandalizing Bellamy’s cabin to throw her and Calhoun together. They offer to repay Calhoun for any costs incurred by the vandalism, but by then Calhoun doesn’t care—his reward is with him, and since the pastor is free and the Piece Makers are meeting in the church, putting together a wedding takes no time at all! What to do about the boys? A police officer’s notification that the boys’ mother and her boyfriend were killed in a motorcycle accident ensures nobody will show up to claim them, so that works out conveniently.
Jessie Gussman’s talent for drawing complex characters shines through as she depicts a movie star torn between a successful but unfulfilling life in warm, sunny L.A. and a peaceful but isolated life in windy, snowy North Dakota. She chooses the latter and quits acting; he chooses her and a future as a stay-at-home dad rather than a rancher. Calhoun, too, isn’t all sunshine and roses; he has angry moments and wonders how he can tell if Bellamy is God’s choice for him or simply his own choice that he wants to label as God’s. I can identify with both struggles, and I heartily recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual journey.
Cowboy Stealing My Heart (that’s a title I can understand!), book 3 in Jessie Gussman’s Coming Home to North Dakota series, follows Calhoun, third Powers brother, as he waits for the woman God has for him—and almost misses seeing the one placed in front of him!
Bellamy Levine is the “It Girl” in Hollywood—and one of its biggest gossip targets, with five divorces in her past. She wants to escape from the nonstop drama, so she rents an entire camping village in North Dakota and prepares to “find herself” as a person of worth without depending on a man to build up her confidence with his compliments. Instead, she finds her cabin vandalized and uninhabitable. The only other cabin left with electricity and running water is Calhoun’s. Smell the interference of the matchmaking Piece Makers quilters? Yes, they’re guilty!
Calhoun was confronted by a woman who swore they shared a “tryst” after graduation and he fathered a son. This is completely false—Calhoun has never had a trust of any kind, having decided at age 15 to wait for the girl God had for him and kept his vow for the next 15 years—but he identified with the three young boys whose mother had no qualms about dumping them all on Calhoun so he could “make up for shirking his responsibilities” to the boy who isn’t even his. Calhoun’s mother had walked out of the family, leaving her sons and daughter devastated even though they had a father who wanted them. He sees himself in them, so he demands to take all of them forever. To do that, he becomes their legal guardian. He moves them into his cabin and meets Bellamy, who had stopped him for directions the previous day. She’s surprised and puzzled by his small entourage, but Bellamy just wants him to repair her cabin. He has to order new parts, and some of them need to be special ordered. Until they arrive at the hardware store, she’s welcome to stay at his cabin with the boys…
Over the next couple of weeks, Bellamy learns the hard way that boys cannot be cajoled into doing their schoolwork (their mother “homeschooled” them by putting books on the table, then doing whatever she wanted while they didn’t study). The younger two, ages seven and eight, can’t even read, and the ten-year-old has few math skills. Calhoun takes on the task, but when he leaves them with Bellamy, she quickly loses control and ends up hanging from the second-floor railing holding a sheet (don’t ask). She finally hits on using her acting abilities to tell a history story and explain word problems so everything sticks in the boys’ brains. Calhoun sees her using her skills and admires her perseverance in getting through to these lost boys.
Bellamy, meanwhile, has been observing Calhoun and growing to admire his loyalty and dedication to doing what God wants regardless of how he looks in others’ eyes. It doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful and he’s handsome!
Calhoun, Bellamy, and the boys develop a daily routine as a “family”, which might cause tongues to wag in town but doesn’t bother Calhoun because they know the truth and God knows it, so the town’s opinion doesn’t matter. They end up in a serious discussion about serving yourself versus serving others, considering God’s plan, and not letting your past define your future.
To prepare for a predicted snowstorm they go into town and visit the Piece Makers, who confess to vandalizing Bellamy’s cabin to throw her and Calhoun together. They offer to repay Calhoun for any costs incurred by the vandalism, but by then Calhoun doesn’t care—his reward is with him, and since the pastor is free and the Piece Makers are meeting in the church, putting together a wedding takes no time at all! What to do about the boys? A police officer’s notification that the boys’ mother and her boyfriend were killed in a motorcycle accident ensures nobody will show up to claim them, so that works out conveniently.
Jessie Gussman’s talent for drawing complex characters shines through as she depicts a movie star torn between a successful but unfulfilling life in warm, sunny L.A. and a peaceful but isolated life in windy, snowy North Dakota. She chooses the latter and quits acting; he chooses her and a future as a stay-at-home dad rather than a rancher. Calhoun, too, isn’t all sunshine and roses; he has angry moments and wonders how he can tell if Bellamy is God’s choice for him or simply his own choice that he wants to label as God’s. I can identify with both struggles, and I heartily recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual journey.
September 18, 2023
Not quite 30, Bellamy, Hollywood sensation, has been through 5 marriages and 5 divorces, the last one exceptionally nasty. She remembers her grandparents' teachings about God from when she was little, before they passed, and hurting and miserable, she decides she wants to get away from it all...and North Dakota seems like a remote enough place to hide out. She finds a place that rents everything from primitive fishing cabins on up, and rents all of them out so she has privacy. Unknown to her, wrapped up as she is in the miserable divorce and the publicity push for the movie she had done with the ex, she doesn't realize her new assistant is demanding multiple extensive changes to the largest cabin on the property, where she'll be staying.
Meanwhile, Calhoun, who works doing mostly interior work - like floorboards - on semis, but whose first love is carpentry, and who also does plumbing and electrical work - has been trying to catch up with work at the family garage so he can move into his own, smaller cabin and finish up the rest of the unfnished cabins on the property while they're empty. As far as he knows, everything is ready for the finicky star when she arrives. The owners of the property had been planning a holiday trip to visit family but have to go earlier when one of their parents breaks a hip. Bellamy gets directions - from Calhoun, although she doesn't know it - because the area is so remote that coverage is spotty at best. The family welcomes her and gives her the keys. She briefly meets some of the ladies of the Piece Makers quilting group, charmed by the gift basket and the quilt. Then, when she comes in to warm up and shower, she finds no hot water and a pathetic few lights. She calls Calhoun, who comes over as soon as he can and discovers the most expensive and hard to get parts are missing.
Before Calhoun made it out of the garage the first time, though, a classmate accused him of having impregnated her out behind the bleachers and pointed to the eldest of 3 boys as his, and said he had gotten off scott free for 10 years and he could watch the other 2 as well until she got back from a motorcycle trip with the latest boyfriend. Everyone knows the oldest isn't his, but he and his brothers and sister had been abandoned by their mother at a young age, and so he said he would take all 3 but he wanted custody. She agreed to guardianship, mostly because it was more convenient for her if the kids needed medical care, and it was granted that day. She claimed to have homeschooled them but there was barely anything related to schooling and the 2 younger ones couldn't read at all. The kids didn't even have toothbrushes and so the list of what was needed for 3 boys was pretty long, the grocery list was burgeoning, and then there was no way to fix Bellamy's cabin, so she had the top floor to herself while the boys bunked in a makeshift bed made to fit 3 boys and a huge part St. Bernard-part German Shephard mutt, with Calhoun on the sofa.
Will the actress settle for sharing a cabin since there is really no other choice? Who vandalized the cabin and how did they know how to maximize the damage? Will the boys adjust to a stricter parent, esp. since they don't know if or when their mother plans to return and if she does, if she will demand them back? Can Bellamy find the God of her childhood and translate that to her adult experiences?
An unusual plot, unusual. characters, and a well done overall story.
Meanwhile, Calhoun, who works doing mostly interior work - like floorboards - on semis, but whose first love is carpentry, and who also does plumbing and electrical work - has been trying to catch up with work at the family garage so he can move into his own, smaller cabin and finish up the rest of the unfnished cabins on the property while they're empty. As far as he knows, everything is ready for the finicky star when she arrives. The owners of the property had been planning a holiday trip to visit family but have to go earlier when one of their parents breaks a hip. Bellamy gets directions - from Calhoun, although she doesn't know it - because the area is so remote that coverage is spotty at best. The family welcomes her and gives her the keys. She briefly meets some of the ladies of the Piece Makers quilting group, charmed by the gift basket and the quilt. Then, when she comes in to warm up and shower, she finds no hot water and a pathetic few lights. She calls Calhoun, who comes over as soon as he can and discovers the most expensive and hard to get parts are missing.
Before Calhoun made it out of the garage the first time, though, a classmate accused him of having impregnated her out behind the bleachers and pointed to the eldest of 3 boys as his, and said he had gotten off scott free for 10 years and he could watch the other 2 as well until she got back from a motorcycle trip with the latest boyfriend. Everyone knows the oldest isn't his, but he and his brothers and sister had been abandoned by their mother at a young age, and so he said he would take all 3 but he wanted custody. She agreed to guardianship, mostly because it was more convenient for her if the kids needed medical care, and it was granted that day. She claimed to have homeschooled them but there was barely anything related to schooling and the 2 younger ones couldn't read at all. The kids didn't even have toothbrushes and so the list of what was needed for 3 boys was pretty long, the grocery list was burgeoning, and then there was no way to fix Bellamy's cabin, so she had the top floor to herself while the boys bunked in a makeshift bed made to fit 3 boys and a huge part St. Bernard-part German Shephard mutt, with Calhoun on the sofa.
Will the actress settle for sharing a cabin since there is really no other choice? Who vandalized the cabin and how did they know how to maximize the damage? Will the boys adjust to a stricter parent, esp. since they don't know if or when their mother plans to return and if she does, if she will demand them back? Can Bellamy find the God of her childhood and translate that to her adult experiences?
An unusual plot, unusual. characters, and a well done overall story.
November 6, 2022
Wow, Calhoun almost got run over by a fancy car speeding down the street of Sweet Water. And, he just bet he knew where that car was headed! Out to the cabin he’d been remodeling for quite some time, to the neglect of all others, since she’d rented the entire vacation spot! Bellamy Levine, the movie star! Used to getting whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it! She had just signed the papers on her fifth divorce and needed to get away from Hollywood and all that went along with it! Calhoun went on inside to his Dad and brother’s mechanic shop and grabbed a wrench to help them out with a big old semi trailer that needed special attention. Suddenly, his Dad. and a woman in clacking high heels appeared behind him and his Dad said he needed to speak to him. Raising up, he turned around to see a lady he didn’t recognize. She said she didn’t know why he didn’t remember her because this, and she jerked a little boy in front of her, she said, is yours. Calhoun knew that was not possible, as he’d promised the Lord to wait until he married and to stay pure and he’d kept that promise. But, Calhoun’s Mom had run off and left him and his brother and Dad when they were just little boys and he could see the shame and embarrassment on the child’s face. He had two other brothers with him, too. Calhoun heard a voice say “Take them”. Calhoun said Yeah, I’ll take him, as long as I get his brothers, too! The woman was shocked, agreed to it, and Calhoun told her they’d meet later in the afternoon for her to sign over guardianship to him. He knew the lawyer to call and the Judge that was on duty and he was ready by early afternoon to get the mother to sign over her rights. This was the best day in the lives of these little boys so far, but they had no idea. Meantime, Bellamy is relaxing in a rocking chair on the front porch of her cabin, feeling the stress leaving her body. When the sun starts to go down, she goes in, but none of the switches work. She uses her phone flashlight and then tries the faucet to wash her hands and not one drop of water comes out! She calls the caretaker, Calhoun, who is a bit busy, with three new children in his care, but demands he come over and fix things. He goes over and checks everything out. Nope. It isn’t gonna happen! He explains everything that he found. The cabin has been vandalized! The parts he will have to have were almost impossible to get the first go round! They decide she will have to stay in the only other cabin- his-with him and his three boys! They give her the upstairs, all to herself! Calhoun has to teach the boys at home because their mother said she homeschooled them, but they can barely read, write, or do arithmetic! They can’t attend public school in this condition! So many wonderful events, occurrences, and excitement happens between, Calhoun, Bellamy, and the sweet boys that you just have to read this book for yourself to be blessed and amazed with the beautiful storytelling that Jessie writes! I can’t brag on this book enough! You will be sorry if you miss out on this awesome, quick read. I couldn’t quit reading it until I finished it! 🥰♥️💙
July 13, 2022
Cowboy Stealing My Heart is the story of the matchmaking tricks of the Piece Makers. Knowing Bellamy Levine, famous actress and just divorced wife of her co-star Houston Park, was arriving in Sweet Water and had a cabin fixed especially for her upper class style would make a good match for Calhoun Powers even after being divorced 5 times. The Piece Makers have the idea of matching all single men and women in Sweet Water. Calhoun has been seeing his single brothers getting married and is waiting for the Lord to show him the woman he is to marry.
While the brothers and his father is working in their garage, Maci, a girl that graduated with Calhoun came in and told Calhoun that her oldest boy was his and she was leaving all three with him since she has cared for his child alone for 10 years. He says fine. He knew as did his family that he was not a father. But just as their mother left them, he was taking those boys to give them a better life. And he required Maci to give him legal guardianship now, and planned to fight for full custody when she came back.
To get Calhoun and Bellamy together the Piece Makers arrive pretending to bring welcoming gifts while cutting the main plumbing line and destroying part of the wiring at her cabin. The problem was Bellamy arrived before they left. They left the pipe cutter saw in one of the baskets. When Bellamy calls Calhoun to come fix her lights and water he found the damaged done in the basement. When he came back upstairs in one of the baskets he found the saw. He tells Bellamy that she can come and use his shower and even stay in the bedroom upstairs where there is an attached bath and he and the boys would stay downstairs. Parts to repair would take up to 10 weeks.
Not sure why the Piece Makers would think Bellamy would be a good match for anyone especially Calhoun. He was trying to live his life for the Lord and a woman that had already had 5 marriages can't just ask for forgiveness unless she is ready to correct her sin which is being married when she shouldn't have been and Calhoun marrying her puts him in adultery along with her. (Matthew 5:31-32 , Mark 10:2-12, John 4:7-19)
I received an ARC of this book to review and give my honest review.
While the brothers and his father is working in their garage, Maci, a girl that graduated with Calhoun came in and told Calhoun that her oldest boy was his and she was leaving all three with him since she has cared for his child alone for 10 years. He says fine. He knew as did his family that he was not a father. But just as their mother left them, he was taking those boys to give them a better life. And he required Maci to give him legal guardianship now, and planned to fight for full custody when she came back.
To get Calhoun and Bellamy together the Piece Makers arrive pretending to bring welcoming gifts while cutting the main plumbing line and destroying part of the wiring at her cabin. The problem was Bellamy arrived before they left. They left the pipe cutter saw in one of the baskets. When Bellamy calls Calhoun to come fix her lights and water he found the damaged done in the basement. When he came back upstairs in one of the baskets he found the saw. He tells Bellamy that she can come and use his shower and even stay in the bedroom upstairs where there is an attached bath and he and the boys would stay downstairs. Parts to repair would take up to 10 weeks.
Not sure why the Piece Makers would think Bellamy would be a good match for anyone especially Calhoun. He was trying to live his life for the Lord and a woman that had already had 5 marriages can't just ask for forgiveness unless she is ready to correct her sin which is being married when she shouldn't have been and Calhoun marrying her puts him in adultery along with her. (Matthew 5:31-32 , Mark 10:2-12, John 4:7-19)
I received an ARC of this book to review and give my honest review.
July 9, 2022
This is a faith filled story where two unlikely people are matched by a set of senior quilters called the Piece Makers. This series takes place in Sweet Water, North Dakota where small town living can give you a place to breathe.
What will happen when a single guy, Calhaun Powers, who is waiting for the Lord to show him the girl he has saved himself for, is set up by the Piece Makers. They match him to an unlikely candidate- an actress Bellamy Levine who has come to Sweet Water to get away for a few months. She has just gone through her fifth divorce and has decided she wants to stay away from men for awhile. She will be staying at a vacation camp that Calhaun is renovating for it's owner.
Calhaun has just been accused of fathering a child, which he knows he didn't do. The mother of this child wants to dump her son and his two brothers on Calhaun, so that she can go away with her boyfriend. Even though Calhaun knows she is lying he understands how it feels to be abandoned by a mom. He decides to take custody of the 3 boys and gets legal guardianship.
The Piece Makers set up circumstances for Calhaun and Bellamy to have to live in the only finished house on the land. Calhaun has his hands full taking care of the three boys while finishing up the work on the other camp buildings. Throw in a North Dakota snow storm and you have the setting for this unlikely couple to find unexpected love.
This book is filled with lots of wisdom concerning making good decisions even after you have made a mess of your life. I loved the integrity of Calhaun and how he let the Lord lead him to sacrifice for others even when he knew he was innocent. He was the type of man that Bellamy had no idea existed
since most of her experiences were with cheating men.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
What will happen when a single guy, Calhaun Powers, who is waiting for the Lord to show him the girl he has saved himself for, is set up by the Piece Makers. They match him to an unlikely candidate- an actress Bellamy Levine who has come to Sweet Water to get away for a few months. She has just gone through her fifth divorce and has decided she wants to stay away from men for awhile. She will be staying at a vacation camp that Calhaun is renovating for it's owner.
Calhaun has just been accused of fathering a child, which he knows he didn't do. The mother of this child wants to dump her son and his two brothers on Calhaun, so that she can go away with her boyfriend. Even though Calhaun knows she is lying he understands how it feels to be abandoned by a mom. He decides to take custody of the 3 boys and gets legal guardianship.
The Piece Makers set up circumstances for Calhaun and Bellamy to have to live in the only finished house on the land. Calhaun has his hands full taking care of the three boys while finishing up the work on the other camp buildings. Throw in a North Dakota snow storm and you have the setting for this unlikely couple to find unexpected love.
This book is filled with lots of wisdom concerning making good decisions even after you have made a mess of your life. I loved the integrity of Calhaun and how he let the Lord lead him to sacrifice for others even when he knew he was innocent. He was the type of man that Bellamy had no idea existed
since most of her experiences were with cheating men.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
July 11, 2022
This book touched my heart and soul. It is easy to admire the grace and strength of character Calhoun shows when he takes in three young boys who are not related to him in anyway, but rather have a great need for stability and for someone to actually care about them. He could have turned the boys away, but instead he listens to his heart that still feels the pain of being abandoned by his own mother and heeds the nudges or guidance of God to take the boys into his care. Above all, Calhoun is a man of faith, integrity and honour. He is loyal to family and friends, has a huge, compassionate heart and offers support and assistance to anyone in need without expecting anything in return. He has always had faith that God would find just the right woman for him, he just never expected that woman would be a famous movie star who has been divorced multiple times.
Bellamy is ready for change in her life, both in her chosen career and in her personal life. Both have left her hurt, disillusioned and lonely. She has come to Sweet Water, North Dakota in order to find peace and contemplate those changes as well as to renew her relationship with God. She could never have expected to meet a handsome, humble and hardworking man like Calhoun or to find herself rooming with him and three young boys when her cabin is rendered uninhabitable. Time spent with the boys and Calhoun seems to fly by and it certainly softens the brittle shell that she has used in the past to guard her heart. Both Bellamy and Calhoun become aware that God has guided them to each other. Will they heed his guidance or question it as many others would do?
Jessie has written another wonderfully insightful book that is both thought provoking and inspiring. I eagerly await the next book in this series. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Bellamy is ready for change in her life, both in her chosen career and in her personal life. Both have left her hurt, disillusioned and lonely. She has come to Sweet Water, North Dakota in order to find peace and contemplate those changes as well as to renew her relationship with God. She could never have expected to meet a handsome, humble and hardworking man like Calhoun or to find herself rooming with him and three young boys when her cabin is rendered uninhabitable. Time spent with the boys and Calhoun seems to fly by and it certainly softens the brittle shell that she has used in the past to guard her heart. Both Bellamy and Calhoun become aware that God has guided them to each other. Will they heed his guidance or question it as many others would do?
Jessie has written another wonderfully insightful book that is both thought provoking and inspiring. I eagerly await the next book in this series. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 30, 2022
North Dakota + secluded cabins + single man + recently divorced woman (5x over) + 3 young boys
Only God could take all that and make something wonderful. Calhoun has been waiting all his life for the perfect woman for him and he has trusted that God will make it happen. He has been waiting a long time so this time the Piece Makers group decides to take matters into their own hands. When a former classmate of Calhoun's shows up with three young boys and tells him one of them is his and he owes her and needs to take all three of them off her hands, he knows she isn't telling the truth but he also knows what is feels like to be abandoned by his mother at a young age. He can't not take them so he does. On the same day a famous actress, Bellamy, enters his world making demands of him, too.
Bellamy has been divorced 5 times and has disappeared to North Dakota to lick her wounds and rethink her life. When her electricity and water are non-existent in her cabin, she ends up in Calhoun's cabin with the boys until he can make the necessary repairs. When their time together begins to feel more real than anything else she has ever experienced, she isn't sure she wants it to end but is that crazy? The world will think she has lost her mind. But, with God nothing is impossible!
This is a sweet, quick read with definite Christian values woven through the story. There is a happy ending for all parties.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Only God could take all that and make something wonderful. Calhoun has been waiting all his life for the perfect woman for him and he has trusted that God will make it happen. He has been waiting a long time so this time the Piece Makers group decides to take matters into their own hands. When a former classmate of Calhoun's shows up with three young boys and tells him one of them is his and he owes her and needs to take all three of them off her hands, he knows she isn't telling the truth but he also knows what is feels like to be abandoned by his mother at a young age. He can't not take them so he does. On the same day a famous actress, Bellamy, enters his world making demands of him, too.
Bellamy has been divorced 5 times and has disappeared to North Dakota to lick her wounds and rethink her life. When her electricity and water are non-existent in her cabin, she ends up in Calhoun's cabin with the boys until he can make the necessary repairs. When their time together begins to feel more real than anything else she has ever experienced, she isn't sure she wants it to end but is that crazy? The world will think she has lost her mind. But, with God nothing is impossible!
This is a sweet, quick read with definite Christian values woven through the story. There is a happy ending for all parties.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
September 14, 2023
'God Has a Plan'
I absolutely loved this book. What was sad and maddening was the mother of Calvin, Cruz, and Cayson's mother dropping off those three boys to a total stranger to them. Who does that? There was no mention of the sperm donor(s) dads even when it came to Calhoun get guardianship. A terrible tragedy strikes when their mother is killed in a motorcycle accident. We assume Calhoun and Bellamy adopt the boys after they get married.
Bellamy Levine was counting on this vacation to heal her heart and her soul and give her peace. It seemed fitting that her welcoming committee would be called the Piece Makers. They are also the "Sweet Water's Match Makers" because they had their hands in on getting Bellamy hooked up with Calhoun and the three boys.
Calhoun could solve the problem that was right in front of him. The one that God gave him. Take the opportunity that the Lord had opened up right in front of him and use it. If everyone did that, there'd be far-less problems to solve. In fact, maybe none.
I can't wait to read the next book: Cowboy Finding Love (Coming Home to North Dakota Western Sweet Romance Book 4). Enjoy and happy reading!
I absolutely loved this book. What was sad and maddening was the mother of Calvin, Cruz, and Cayson's mother dropping off those three boys to a total stranger to them. Who does that? There was no mention of the sperm donor(s) dads even when it came to Calhoun get guardianship. A terrible tragedy strikes when their mother is killed in a motorcycle accident. We assume Calhoun and Bellamy adopt the boys after they get married.
Bellamy Levine was counting on this vacation to heal her heart and her soul and give her peace. It seemed fitting that her welcoming committee would be called the Piece Makers. They are also the "Sweet Water's Match Makers" because they had their hands in on getting Bellamy hooked up with Calhoun and the three boys.
Calhoun could solve the problem that was right in front of him. The one that God gave him. Take the opportunity that the Lord had opened up right in front of him and use it. If everyone did that, there'd be far-less problems to solve. In fact, maybe none.
I can't wait to read the next book: Cowboy Finding Love (Coming Home to North Dakota Western Sweet Romance Book 4). Enjoy and happy reading!
July 20, 2022
Wow! This story really got me thinking outside of my normal "box". Someone with 5 divorces to their name absolutley would not be someone I would ever recommend to get involved with, but that is exactly what Bellamy had when she rolled into town. Poor Calhoun didn't was about to have his life completely changed within a couple weeks and he didn't even know it. A single mom dropping her 3 boys off at his family's shop, incorrectly claiming the oldest was Calhoun's and he needed to take them all....and then Bellamy, the demanding, jilted Hollywood star rolling into town and taking residence in the place he remodeled. I'm surprised the guy didn't get whiplash from everthing going so fast with his life! Through it all, he showed grace, competency to listen and respond when God was calling him to do something, and compassion. I can't wait to read more about Calhoun's family in the other books of this series! I received this ebook from the author at no cost to me. I was not required to leave a review. All opinions in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.
November 27, 2022
Five divorces, three boys, one snowstorm and two people who want to be anywhere other than where they are. Only God could use it all to make a beautiful love story.
Bellamy Levine is the highest paid actress in Hollywood, but she just inked her name on her fifth divorce settlement and her personal life is in shambles. Again.
She vows it’s for the last time.
That’s why she’s rented the entire vacation spot in rural North Dakota and intends to spend the holidays alone, figuring out what she’s going to do with her life.
Calhaun Powers was blindsided when an old classmate rolls into Sweet Water claiming the oldest of her three boys is his. He knows for a fact the kid isn’t his son, but he finds himself watching all three kids while he renovates vacation houses for his neighbor.
God seems to be testing him in a strange way when he ends up snowed in with Hollywood’s biggest movie star – five times divorced – and three boys who aren’t his, but who need a dad…and a mom.
Can two people who come from completely different worlds find common ground and build a family together?
Bellamy Levine is the highest paid actress in Hollywood, but she just inked her name on her fifth divorce settlement and her personal life is in shambles. Again.
She vows it’s for the last time.
That’s why she’s rented the entire vacation spot in rural North Dakota and intends to spend the holidays alone, figuring out what she’s going to do with her life.
Calhaun Powers was blindsided when an old classmate rolls into Sweet Water claiming the oldest of her three boys is his. He knows for a fact the kid isn’t his son, but he finds himself watching all three kids while he renovates vacation houses for his neighbor.
God seems to be testing him in a strange way when he ends up snowed in with Hollywood’s biggest movie star – five times divorced – and three boys who aren’t his, but who need a dad…and a mom.
Can two people who come from completely different worlds find common ground and build a family together?
July 10, 2022
OMG! This book turned my heart to mush. Callhoun had been waiting for God's choice, for his wife ever since he was a teen. Now, standing before him is a woman claiming he's the father to her 10 year old son and is leaving the boy and his 2 younger brothers with Callhoun while she goes traipsing around the country with her new boyfriend. Even knowing it couldn't be true, Callhoun spoke up and claimed all three and wanted guardianship. I fell in love with this man immediately. I'm not telling anymore of the story, and what I spoiled is in the first chapter, so not that big of a spoil. But I'm warning you, from the moment you get the details, you will not want to put this book down and you will have hearts in your eyes every time you think of Callhoun. I highly recommend 'Cowboy Stealing My Heart'. Because he certainly stole mine. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
June 27, 2022
This sweet romance, set in Sweet Water, North Dakota, is filled with wonderful life lessons. Calhoun is a strong compassionate man. He works for the family car repair shop but his true love is carpentry. He has been renovating cabins for Rev, concentrating on one cabin for a famous actress about to descend on this small town to escape from Hollywood and her recent messy fifth divorce. When an acquaintance from High School stops by the family garage claiming that Calhoun is the father of her oldest son, Calhoun knows that is a blatant lie. But when a prompting from God tells him to take all three boys, he follows those promptings. The Piece Makers, an elderly women's quilting group, set their minds to matchmaking and Calhoun and Bellamy end up staying on one cabin with three young boys. Great characters and an inspiring story.
July 14, 2022
Cowboy Stealing My Heart by Jessie Gussman (5 stars)
The Piece Makers Club is at it again! These matchmakers extraordinaire do a little vandalism to bring their couple together!
Calhoun’s holidays were going to be simple; stay in a cabin on Rem’s property while renovating some of the other cabins.
Then...he gets guardianship of three boys, then...he has to offer shelter to a gorgeous but stranded movie star.
Bellamy is looking for a peace and quiet to heal from her divorce and recenter herself. A cabin by a lake should offer just that.
Until...it becomes inhabitable and she end up staying with an upright man and his newly-acquired, very loud and rambunctious boys. Suddenly, she realizes that another way to heal is to lose herself in helping others.
This is a sweet, clean romance! I can’t wait to see what the Piece Makers have up their sleeves next!
The Piece Makers Club is at it again! These matchmakers extraordinaire do a little vandalism to bring their couple together!
Calhoun’s holidays were going to be simple; stay in a cabin on Rem’s property while renovating some of the other cabins.
Then...he gets guardianship of three boys, then...he has to offer shelter to a gorgeous but stranded movie star.
Bellamy is looking for a peace and quiet to heal from her divorce and recenter herself. A cabin by a lake should offer just that.
Until...it becomes inhabitable and she end up staying with an upright man and his newly-acquired, very loud and rambunctious boys. Suddenly, she realizes that another way to heal is to lose herself in helping others.
This is a sweet, clean romance! I can’t wait to see what the Piece Makers have up their sleeves next!
July 17, 2022
What a great, solid, love story. Enjoyed reading about Calhoun and his faith, knowing and trusting in God that he will put the right woman in his life. Little did he anticipate it to be a beautiful actress, who needed to get away from people and Hollywood. Together they are bringing up 3 boys that aren't there's, but love them just the same. It's always amazing when one puts their trust in our Heavenly Father how he can take control and to watch and see what happens with the ending. Enjoyed this story very much along with learning about the beautiful actress, Bellamy, who doesn't hesitate to adopt 3 young boys with Calhoun; Calvin, Cruz and Cayson. Also enjoyed the Piece Makers and the levity they brought to the story. Highly recommend this story for a warm, happy feeling .
I received an early copy for the above review which is given voluntarily and honestly.
I received an early copy for the above review which is given voluntarily and honestly.
July 7, 2022
Loved this book! So sweet! Calhoun is such a great guy. The book really brings out the importance of character and even if you've made mistakes, you can start new.
Calhoun takes in 3 little boys and gains custody of them when their mother abandons them. Bellamy is an actress who just signed her 5th divorce settlement. She goes to Sweet Water, ND to get away from it all and heal for a couple of months. Calhoun is in charge of fixing up the cabins and taking care of any repairs that Bellamy may need on her cabin. Thanks to 4 matchmaking church ladies, there are plenty of repairs to be made.
Bellamy isn't all that she seems either. She learns a lot just by getting 'unplugged' from social media for a few days. She discovers that there are good people in the world.
Calhoun takes in 3 little boys and gains custody of them when their mother abandons them. Bellamy is an actress who just signed her 5th divorce settlement. She goes to Sweet Water, ND to get away from it all and heal for a couple of months. Calhoun is in charge of fixing up the cabins and taking care of any repairs that Bellamy may need on her cabin. Thanks to 4 matchmaking church ladies, there are plenty of repairs to be made.
Bellamy isn't all that she seems either. She learns a lot just by getting 'unplugged' from social media for a few days. She discovers that there are good people in the world.
July 12, 2022
Recipe for a Winner!
Ingredients:
(4) Members of the Piece Makers Quilting group
(1) Man of integrity who’s been waiting on the Lord
(1) Famous actress from Hollywood, trying to find herself
(3) Young boys, abandoned by their mother
Directions:
Use the Piece Makers to preheat the situation. Using care, suddenly combine the Man, Actress, and Boys. Season liberally with wisdom, humor, and love. Place this mixture in a remote house near Sweet Water, North Dakota, letting it simmer and sizzle until done to perfection.
Serves: To warm your heart and soul!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own (though narrator Jay Dyess inspired me to write it as a recipe!)
Ingredients:
(4) Members of the Piece Makers Quilting group
(1) Man of integrity who’s been waiting on the Lord
(1) Famous actress from Hollywood, trying to find herself
(3) Young boys, abandoned by their mother
Directions:
Use the Piece Makers to preheat the situation. Using care, suddenly combine the Man, Actress, and Boys. Season liberally with wisdom, humor, and love. Place this mixture in a remote house near Sweet Water, North Dakota, letting it simmer and sizzle until done to perfection.
Serves: To warm your heart and soul!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own (though narrator Jay Dyess inspired me to write it as a recipe!)
July 14, 2022
Cowboy Stealing My Heart
Jessie Gussman knows how to spin a story. This is a wonderful book of a movie star, Bellamy Levine, that has been divorced five times getting away to a secluded place to mourn her latest marriage failure and swear off of men. Then she runs into Calhoun Powers. Calhoun is a single man who is blindsided by a woman he knew in high school telling him he is the dad of one of her three boys when he knows that is impossible. She wants to leave all of the boys with him while she goes on a trip with her boyfriend. How will a movie star, a cowboy, and three young boys manage to survive when then Piece Makers start matchmaking? This book is fun and soul searching at the same time.
Jessie Gussman knows how to spin a story. This is a wonderful book of a movie star, Bellamy Levine, that has been divorced five times getting away to a secluded place to mourn her latest marriage failure and swear off of men. Then she runs into Calhoun Powers. Calhoun is a single man who is blindsided by a woman he knew in high school telling him he is the dad of one of her three boys when he knows that is impossible. She wants to leave all of the boys with him while she goes on a trip with her boyfriend. How will a movie star, a cowboy, and three young boys manage to survive when then Piece Makers start matchmaking? This book is fun and soul searching at the same time.
July 15, 2022
I liked this sweet, clean, Christmas book. It really had a lot to say and I liked that it made me question and think about the story and characters.Calhoun was a unique character waiting for God to find him his perfect match. He was a real down to earth guy full of integrity and honesty. What he did for the three little boys was nothing short of amazing.The Piece Makers had me shocked at their matchmaking antics in this book. Oh my! I could not believe what they did.Bellamy, the pampered movie star, was an interesting character. Looks could be deceiving and it was fun watching her stumble, pick herself up, and try again with God's help. This was a great story. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly choose to write an honest review.
Read
May 10, 2023free ebook
he is refurbishing the cottages and a movie star is staying in one
the ladies of town messed up the elect and water so he would have to go there and fix it, they were matchmaking
a woman came to town with 3 boys, claiming the oldest was his. he knew he never had sex so it couldnt be his son, but he heard God tell him to take all 3 so he did. the woman went off with her boyfriend after signing guardianship papers. his mom left him so he knew what it felt like. he knew he had his brothers and dad to help him out when he needed it
the movie star learned lessons about God from him and they fell in love and were meant to be together raising the boys. their mom died in motorcycle accident
he is refurbishing the cottages and a movie star is staying in one
the ladies of town messed up the elect and water so he would have to go there and fix it, they were matchmaking
a woman came to town with 3 boys, claiming the oldest was his. he knew he never had sex so it couldnt be his son, but he heard God tell him to take all 3 so he did. the woman went off with her boyfriend after signing guardianship papers. his mom left him so he knew what it felt like. he knew he had his brothers and dad to help him out when he needed it
the movie star learned lessons about God from him and they fell in love and were meant to be together raising the boys. their mom died in motorcycle accident
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2022
A cowboy carpenter and a movie star?
Calhoun is the caretaker of the cottages. Bellamy is a movie star coming to town for a vacation after her love life implodes. With the “help” of the Piece Makers, they get to know each other. Loved how Calhoun helped her figure her life out by being consistent in leading his life for God’s pleasure, even when facing unexpected changes in his life, and explaining why in simple terms that she could understand. Not preachy, just explaining his choices. Great characters, very human and willing to change but relatable as well. Highly recommend.
Received ARC and this is my honest review.
Calhoun is the caretaker of the cottages. Bellamy is a movie star coming to town for a vacation after her love life implodes. With the “help” of the Piece Makers, they get to know each other. Loved how Calhoun helped her figure her life out by being consistent in leading his life for God’s pleasure, even when facing unexpected changes in his life, and explaining why in simple terms that she could understand. Not preachy, just explaining his choices. Great characters, very human and willing to change but relatable as well. Highly recommend.
Received ARC and this is my honest review.
July 18, 2022
I have loved every Jessie Gussman book that I have read and this one is no exception. Only Jessie can throw these characters together and come up with a good, clean and Christian, page turning story. Calhoun is waiting for the wife he knows God has picked out for him. Then he takes on guardianship of three boys, none of them his. As he settles in his cabin with his boys at a vacation spot he is the caretaker of, he meets Bellamy, a five times divorced actress. This is a story you really need to read! Highly recommend!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
August 20, 2022
I enjoyed this story about Bellamy, Calhoun & 3 boys that need a father first but also a mother. It's funny that all the men's names start with a C. Calhoun can't refuse to take the boys (that are not his) when their mother doesn't want them anymore. Calhoun's mother was the same way. Ballamy doesn't want another romantic relationship since she's balmed out of 5 marriages. She is great with the boys, however, when she has to help them with home schooling. The other thing I like about this story is the marriage advise at the beginning of each chapter. I received a free copy. This is my voluntary review.
December 24, 2025
Jessie's books are edifying. I would say they are also light reads, but she does tackle difficult topics. Bad things happen to the characters or because of their choices, but there is redemption, grace, and forgiveness. She weaves in truths about how we should leave as Christians, which serve as reminders as I listen along.
I've listened to her books on YouTube "Say With Jay." He's a great narrator, even for the women's voices. It's the type of book that you can listen to while doing something else. Any can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting the series in order as several connect characters and places.
I've listened to her books on YouTube "Say With Jay." He's a great narrator, even for the women's voices. It's the type of book that you can listen to while doing something else. Any can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting the series in order as several connect characters and places.
June 25, 2022
Another amazing story from Jessie Gussman, with characters that are so inspiring and heartwarming. This story continues in Sweetwater, North Dakota with appearances of some old “friends” from previous stories. Calhoun has made a vow that he would wait for the girl that God thought he should be with, but an old school mate shows up claiming he’s the father of her son. Bellamy comes to town to get away from her disastrous fifth marriage, feeling she needs time alone to get her life back in order. What will happen after someone sabotages the cabin Bellamy is renting?
June 26, 2022
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
Great story
This is overtly Christian — waiting on God's timing, His plans better than any other's, no such thing as coincidence... and grace and forgiveness.
Yeah, there're some teary moments pretty early in the story, but it is mostly hopeful and encouraging.
Calhoun is awesome — living his life trusting God.
Bellamy came to North Dakota to find the God she'd learned about as a kid but has walked away from as an adult.
Great story
This is overtly Christian — waiting on God's timing, His plans better than any other's, no such thing as coincidence... and grace and forgiveness.
Yeah, there're some teary moments pretty early in the story, but it is mostly hopeful and encouraging.
Calhoun is awesome — living his life trusting God.
Bellamy came to North Dakota to find the God she'd learned about as a kid but has walked away from as an adult.
June 26, 2022
Oh my, this isn’t the first book by Jessie Gussman that I have read. But it is the best.
Calhoun is saving himself for his wife, and expecting that God will provide a woman who has done the same.
Bellamy is reeling after 5 failed marriages, and just wants a little peace and quiet before returning to LA’s rat race.
Add 3 “C” kids, some meddling matchmakers, and a lot of Gods’s grace, and you have a wonderful story that you will find hard to put down.
I received a free early copy of this book to proofread, and chose to also write a review.
Calhoun is saving himself for his wife, and expecting that God will provide a woman who has done the same.
Bellamy is reeling after 5 failed marriages, and just wants a little peace and quiet before returning to LA’s rat race.
Add 3 “C” kids, some meddling matchmakers, and a lot of Gods’s grace, and you have a wonderful story that you will find hard to put down.
I received a free early copy of this book to proofread, and chose to also write a review.
June 30, 2022
I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Movie Star Bellamy wants a respite, so she travels to North Dakota. When she arrives, she finds problems with the cabin, and has to move in with Calhoun because parts are not available and his is the only cabin in working condition. Calhoun had taken on the care of three boys who also share the cabin. A touching and interesting book by talented story teller, Jessie Gussman.
July 1, 2022
Rating: 4.5 stars
My thoughts about this book:
• There were a lot of Christian references about forgiveness, keeping commitments, and seeking the Lord's will in your life.
• The three boys in this story added a lot of interest to this novella.
• I really enjoyed how Calhoun's and Bellamy's romance grew.
• I liked the descriptive quality of the author's writing.
I was given an advance copy of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy short Christian romances.
My thoughts about this book:
• There were a lot of Christian references about forgiveness, keeping commitments, and seeking the Lord's will in your life.
• The three boys in this story added a lot of interest to this novella.
• I really enjoyed how Calhoun's and Bellamy's romance grew.
• I liked the descriptive quality of the author's writing.
I was given an advance copy of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy short Christian romances.
July 1, 2022
Just one second at a time for the rest of your life…
A cowboy, a movie star, and three unwanted boys are the ingredients in a recipe for romance directed by God and plotted by the scheming elderly ladies of the Sweet Water Piece Makers quilting guild. Jessie Gussman has delivered another premium clean cowboy romance that had my heart fluttering. I received a free book but this review is voluntary and honest. This is a clean romance that I really enjoyed and so will any other Christian romance lover.
A cowboy, a movie star, and three unwanted boys are the ingredients in a recipe for romance directed by God and plotted by the scheming elderly ladies of the Sweet Water Piece Makers quilting guild. Jessie Gussman has delivered another premium clean cowboy romance that had my heart fluttering. I received a free book but this review is voluntary and honest. This is a clean romance that I really enjoyed and so will any other Christian romance lover.
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