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Coming Home to North Dakota #9
Cowboy Looking at Me
Brawley Powers made a mistake he's regretted for almost eleven years. But he didn't realize he had a daughter from that night until a stranger comes to town and puts the pieces together.
Brawley sees the truth, but he's not sure if the mother of his daughter even knows who the father is, and whether she does or not, if she'll let him be a part of her life.
He starts an anonymous letter writing campaign to soften her heart, just to pave a path to his little girl, but he finds himself falling for the funny and sweet woman behind her emails she sends back.
Can they overcome the mistakes of their past and make a beautiful future 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
Brawley sees the truth, but he's not sure if the mother of his daughter even knows who the father is, and whether she does or not, if she'll let him be a part of her life.
He starts an anonymous letter writing campaign to soften her heart, just to pave a path to his little girl, but he finds himself falling for the funny and sweet woman behind her emails she sends back.
Can they overcome the mistakes of their past and make a beautiful future 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
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
713 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 3, 2024
❤️❤️❤️
Each story in this series just gets better & better! The “piece-makers” once again, worked their magic!
Can they help poor Lavender?!?!
I’ll find out in the next book 😉😉
Each story in this series just gets better & better! The “piece-makers” once again, worked their magic!
Can they help poor Lavender?!?!
I’ll find out in the next book 😉😉
October 28, 2022
This book by Jessie Gussman will get you right in the gut. When two people allow alcohol to cloud their judgement and remove their inhibitions, the consequences for them are entirely different. His sin is hidden and he goes about his life as usual except for the regret he feels. Her sin is exposed in the form of a pregnancy and she spends years being judged for a single transgression. Thanks to the Piece Makers, Brawley is made aware of his daughter and is determined to take responsibility for his actions. As Brawley and Daphne grow closer, they help an older couple rediscover the love they once had. Great book!
May 26, 2023
A Terrible Mistake Rectified
Jessie Gussman has never shied away from the grim realities of life, and in Cowboy Looking at Me (book 9 in her Coming Home to North Dakota series), a sexual encounter between the two main characters sets up the central storyline in the book.
Brawley Powell, despite his goofy reputation, is a non-drinking virgin who goes to a costume party with friends and hates it. Daphne has an intellectual reputation and is also a non-drinking virgin who goes to the same party and hates it as much as Brawley does. He’s stressed about schoolwork overload, she’s still grieving her father (whose funeral was held the previous day), and they both drink too much. A place to talk away from the crowd becomes a place to kiss…and more… and 9 months later, Daphne’s daughter Powell is born. Her name is a coincidence; the awful party required masks, and since they couldn’t see each other, she didn’t know who little Powell’s father was, and he had no idea of the identity of the girl he was with. When Charlene, chief Piece Maker (a quilting group that specializes in matchmaking) asks him point-blank if he’s Powell’s father, he doesn’t know the answer, but the more he thinks about it, the more likely it seems. He has to tell Daphne, but how?
Daphne’s mother has been recuperating from a botched surgery, so he dutifully delivers her quilt and ignores the funny glances she darts between Brawley and her daughter. Apparently, Daphne’s mom knows more about the Piece Makers than Daphne and Brawley do…
Not knowing how to impress her, Brawley asks his sister for advice. Sadie tells him to write her anonymous letters—not texts—and tell her a little about himself, but not enough for her to guess who he is. Brawley takes her advice, and a few days later, her first letter comes. It’s signed, “Just a cowboy looking at you”, and she thinks he’s a stalker but soon grows used to the letters. Eventually, she writes him back, and they become pen pals, though she still doesn’t know his name. For his part, Brawley doesn’t know why she left that night and didn’t say goodbye but covered him with a blanket.
The Piece Makers have more work for Daphne and Brawley. The Browns, an older couple next to Daphne’s ranch, are on the verge of divorce, and they ask the younger pair to pose as a young couple asking for marriage advice. Mrs. Brown tells Daphne she wants to leave her husband because he’s inconsiderate, and Mr. Brown tells Brawley his best advice is to stay away from women because they treat men like their opinions don’t matter and they don’t want to do anything with them. Both are shocked, and they spend the ride back discussing what makes a marriage work (or, for the Browns, fall apart). The key: treat your spouse the way you’d like to be treated, and show them they’re more special to you than anyone else. Boundaries around the opposite sex help, too, as Daphne knows from her friend Katie’s sad experience with a cheater.
Before church on Sunday a woman pulls her child out of Daphne’s class and comments that she “always knew” that Daphne was “that kind of person” whom she didn’t want to teach her child. Brawley sees a hand-typed sign with a typo that turned an innocent word into profanity and doesn’t think it’s worth the pastor’s time, but he can’t stand the implication that a woman who had a child out of wedlock is automatically a bad influence on all children. He asks to talk with her after the service, and by the time they’re finished she knows he’s “cowboy looking at me”, Powell’s father, and the new owner of the Browns’ ranch (they’re going to stay together), It takes a while for it all to sink in, but Daphne eventually says that God forgave her, so what right has she to hold a mutually consensual act against him? Their conversation transforms into a brainstorming session on how to merge their lives, and each one marvels at God’s mercy in moving her to forgiveness and him to planning for the future when he’s not a planner by nature!
Jessie weaves Scriptural truths and Christian themes into her books seamlessly. This time’s about forgiveness and loving your spouse for a lifetime, and Brawley and Daphne take both lessons to heart. I loved Cowboy Looking at Me, and I highly recommend it!
Jessie Gussman has never shied away from the grim realities of life, and in Cowboy Looking at Me (book 9 in her Coming Home to North Dakota series), a sexual encounter between the two main characters sets up the central storyline in the book.
Brawley Powell, despite his goofy reputation, is a non-drinking virgin who goes to a costume party with friends and hates it. Daphne has an intellectual reputation and is also a non-drinking virgin who goes to the same party and hates it as much as Brawley does. He’s stressed about schoolwork overload, she’s still grieving her father (whose funeral was held the previous day), and they both drink too much. A place to talk away from the crowd becomes a place to kiss…and more… and 9 months later, Daphne’s daughter Powell is born. Her name is a coincidence; the awful party required masks, and since they couldn’t see each other, she didn’t know who little Powell’s father was, and he had no idea of the identity of the girl he was with. When Charlene, chief Piece Maker (a quilting group that specializes in matchmaking) asks him point-blank if he’s Powell’s father, he doesn’t know the answer, but the more he thinks about it, the more likely it seems. He has to tell Daphne, but how?
Daphne’s mother has been recuperating from a botched surgery, so he dutifully delivers her quilt and ignores the funny glances she darts between Brawley and her daughter. Apparently, Daphne’s mom knows more about the Piece Makers than Daphne and Brawley do…
Not knowing how to impress her, Brawley asks his sister for advice. Sadie tells him to write her anonymous letters—not texts—and tell her a little about himself, but not enough for her to guess who he is. Brawley takes her advice, and a few days later, her first letter comes. It’s signed, “Just a cowboy looking at you”, and she thinks he’s a stalker but soon grows used to the letters. Eventually, she writes him back, and they become pen pals, though she still doesn’t know his name. For his part, Brawley doesn’t know why she left that night and didn’t say goodbye but covered him with a blanket.
The Piece Makers have more work for Daphne and Brawley. The Browns, an older couple next to Daphne’s ranch, are on the verge of divorce, and they ask the younger pair to pose as a young couple asking for marriage advice. Mrs. Brown tells Daphne she wants to leave her husband because he’s inconsiderate, and Mr. Brown tells Brawley his best advice is to stay away from women because they treat men like their opinions don’t matter and they don’t want to do anything with them. Both are shocked, and they spend the ride back discussing what makes a marriage work (or, for the Browns, fall apart). The key: treat your spouse the way you’d like to be treated, and show them they’re more special to you than anyone else. Boundaries around the opposite sex help, too, as Daphne knows from her friend Katie’s sad experience with a cheater.
Before church on Sunday a woman pulls her child out of Daphne’s class and comments that she “always knew” that Daphne was “that kind of person” whom she didn’t want to teach her child. Brawley sees a hand-typed sign with a typo that turned an innocent word into profanity and doesn’t think it’s worth the pastor’s time, but he can’t stand the implication that a woman who had a child out of wedlock is automatically a bad influence on all children. He asks to talk with her after the service, and by the time they’re finished she knows he’s “cowboy looking at me”, Powell’s father, and the new owner of the Browns’ ranch (they’re going to stay together), It takes a while for it all to sink in, but Daphne eventually says that God forgave her, so what right has she to hold a mutually consensual act against him? Their conversation transforms into a brainstorming session on how to merge their lives, and each one marvels at God’s mercy in moving her to forgiveness and him to planning for the future when he’s not a planner by nature!
Jessie weaves Scriptural truths and Christian themes into her books seamlessly. This time’s about forgiveness and loving your spouse for a lifetime, and Brawley and Daphne take both lessons to heart. I loved Cowboy Looking at Me, and I highly recommend it!
October 28, 2022
Cowboy Looking at Me is a story that started 10 years ago at a house party where both Brawley and Daphne had came with family or friends and both had some alcohol. No matter how good you are living, alcohol is always going to cause trouble.
Fast forward to now and the Piece Makers call Brawley to the church basement. He is told that someone has seen Daphne's daughter and they think she is his child! Brawley was overcome with this revelation and they ask him to take a quilt to Daphne. He takes the quilt and he and Daphne talk just a little about the cattle trailer needing some work done and Brawley tells her he will take the trailer to the shop and fix it. He also asks her to go out with him and she says no. When she came back to pick it up he told her the payment was to let him help her do something so they could be together. She agreed. Brawley's sister tells him to try writing a letter to Daphne but not to sign it. She said girls loved getting letters and to tell her things about himself but to try and not let her figure it out until he is ready. When Daphne tells Brawley about the letters she has been getting and that she was going to start writing the man back he said that will probably be good.
When the Piece Makers ask Brawley and Daphne to go visit the Brown's to see if they might get them to give them some marriage advise in hopes that they would hear themselves talking, and maybe they could take their own advice to repair their marriage. After this talk they held hands walking into church in case the Brown's are there. They sit together and he puts his arm around Daphne. The Brown's do come in and sit right in front of them and Mr. Brown puts his arm around Mrs. Brown. The advice they gave the kids they took to heart and their marriage is now stronger. After being in church together and then enjoying lunch together after the service Brawley feels he need to talk in private to Daphne. He wants a strong marriage but not until he tells her things he has been holding back.
I received an advanced copy of this book for my review. I think it is a good series and this book in particular takes a sensitive subject and two Christians have to figure out how to deal with mistakes they made. I give this book 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟and I give a high five to the author Jessie Gussman for her tender story.
Fast forward to now and the Piece Makers call Brawley to the church basement. He is told that someone has seen Daphne's daughter and they think she is his child! Brawley was overcome with this revelation and they ask him to take a quilt to Daphne. He takes the quilt and he and Daphne talk just a little about the cattle trailer needing some work done and Brawley tells her he will take the trailer to the shop and fix it. He also asks her to go out with him and she says no. When she came back to pick it up he told her the payment was to let him help her do something so they could be together. She agreed. Brawley's sister tells him to try writing a letter to Daphne but not to sign it. She said girls loved getting letters and to tell her things about himself but to try and not let her figure it out until he is ready. When Daphne tells Brawley about the letters she has been getting and that she was going to start writing the man back he said that will probably be good.
When the Piece Makers ask Brawley and Daphne to go visit the Brown's to see if they might get them to give them some marriage advise in hopes that they would hear themselves talking, and maybe they could take their own advice to repair their marriage. After this talk they held hands walking into church in case the Brown's are there. They sit together and he puts his arm around Daphne. The Brown's do come in and sit right in front of them and Mr. Brown puts his arm around Mrs. Brown. The advice they gave the kids they took to heart and their marriage is now stronger. After being in church together and then enjoying lunch together after the service Brawley feels he need to talk in private to Daphne. He wants a strong marriage but not until he tells her things he has been holding back.
I received an advanced copy of this book for my review. I think it is a good series and this book in particular takes a sensitive subject and two Christians have to figure out how to deal with mistakes they made. I give this book 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟and I give a high five to the author Jessie Gussman for her tender story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
Brawley is the prankster, along with little sister Sadie, at the Power's garage and feed mill. He has remained single and carefree but also frugal and is saving up for his future. Once, many years ago at a costume party where everything he drank seemed spiked, he had been wandering around looking for a place to hide out when he came across a girl sitting on the ground, petting a dog. He steered the drunks away and suggested they try and find a place to hide, which they did. They were sitting in a sunroom in a love seat when hormones and booze struck. Neither ever removed the other's mask, and so, 9 months later when her baby girl was born, Daphne bore the shame of not knowing who sired her child, in addition to the shame of having an illegitimate child. Brawley has no idea he has a child. He tried to find the girl but no one seemed to know who she was.
Then Dwight, the main character of the previous book and husband to Orchid, notices how similar in looks Daphne's little girl Powell is to Brawley, the only green eyed person in his family.
And so Brawley is called to the meeting of the Piece Makers and given a quilt to deliver to Daphne's family, and told about the child's resemblance to him. He admits to the drunken sex and explains why he didn't know he had a daughter. But the quilters/matchmakers aren't done yet.
The Browns are empty nesters who have lost their spark in their marriage. Daphne and Brawley are chosen to portray a young couple who want to know the secrets of a long lasting marriage, in hopes the sharing will help the Browns remember their love.
Brawley remains unsure how to tell Daphne he is Powell's father, so he tries multiple methods. He is unsure how to tell Powell, unsure if he will be accepted by Daphne, his mother in law Renee, or his daughter Powell. He only knows the initial attraction at the party is still there for him, and he is confident that, given a chance, it could easily bloom into a lifelong love. Daphne has the same sense that their initial contact, however sinful, still contained the seeds of love for life.
As they try to sort out the Browns, both of them see the pitfalls it is all too easy to.fall into, and they become closer to each other.
Do Daphne and Brawley have a chance at love, or will it only be shared parenting? Can the Browns' marriage be saved? Can Daphne and Brawley forgive themselves and each other?
Then Dwight, the main character of the previous book and husband to Orchid, notices how similar in looks Daphne's little girl Powell is to Brawley, the only green eyed person in his family.
And so Brawley is called to the meeting of the Piece Makers and given a quilt to deliver to Daphne's family, and told about the child's resemblance to him. He admits to the drunken sex and explains why he didn't know he had a daughter. But the quilters/matchmakers aren't done yet.
The Browns are empty nesters who have lost their spark in their marriage. Daphne and Brawley are chosen to portray a young couple who want to know the secrets of a long lasting marriage, in hopes the sharing will help the Browns remember their love.
Brawley remains unsure how to tell Daphne he is Powell's father, so he tries multiple methods. He is unsure how to tell Powell, unsure if he will be accepted by Daphne, his mother in law Renee, or his daughter Powell. He only knows the initial attraction at the party is still there for him, and he is confident that, given a chance, it could easily bloom into a lifelong love. Daphne has the same sense that their initial contact, however sinful, still contained the seeds of love for life.
As they try to sort out the Browns, both of them see the pitfalls it is all too easy to.fall into, and they become closer to each other.
Do Daphne and Brawley have a chance at love, or will it only be shared parenting? Can the Browns' marriage be saved? Can Daphne and Brawley forgive themselves and each other?
October 22, 2022
Brawley and Daphne’s story is a sweet romance with an unusual and very realistic twist. A drunken incident when they were still teenagers, led to consequences neither expected. Both have agonized over their behaviour that night, behaviour that was out of character for them both and went against the teachings of their Christian faith. Though they have known each other since long before that incident, masks and alcohol lowered their inhibitions, muddied their principles and left them unaware of each other’s identity. When of the Piece Makers makes Brawley aware that Daphne’s young daughter looks like him in many ways, he is at first shocked then almost relieved. Shocked that he has an almost 10 year old daughter, but he is also relieved to know the identity of her mother, the woman he still remembers with tenderness and had long wondered about. He doesn’t immediately go to Daphne and tell her that he knows that he is the father of her daughter, since he knows that she did not know his identity then and is most probably still unaware. Though they have never really been friends, that have long been aware of each other since they do live in a small town, attend the same church and the same community events. Brawley, with the help of the Piece Makers and unwittingly his sister, sets out to get to know Daphne and his daughter better through letters he writes anonymously, and through a task the Piece Makers gave them to do together. Both Brawley and Daphne both learn how to create a relationship, and hopefully marriage, that follows God’s guidance, honors each partner and nurtures love and commitment. This story gives one lots of thoughts to ponder, to take to heart and to inspire one’s actions. It is another book to add to my keeper list and to recommend to others.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 28, 2022
I loved the story of Brawley and Daphne that is again set into motion by the Piece Makers. Each story in this series has been unique in the way that the Piece Makers bring couple together. This time they receive some unusual information about who may be the father of Daphne's daughter Powell. The thing is that Daphne doesn't know who the father of her child is and the father has no idea he has a ten year old daughter.
When the Piece Makers asks Brawley Powers to meet them to deliver a quilt- he has no idea that he is going to have his whole world shift. They ask him a question that brings him back almost eleven years when he made a terrible mistake after drinking too much at a party. Could it really be possible that the girl whose face he never saw was actually Daphne? Brawley repented of what happened but had never forgotten the girl and now to find out that he was possibly the father of Daphne's daughter made him decide he had to discover the truth. If Powell was his daughter he wanted to make things right for both mom and daughter.
Daphne Lessing has carried the responsibility of what happened after she went to a party to stop grieving the death of her father. It was a masked party so she never found out who she was with that night. Her child Powell, that resulted from what happened is her joy. But Daphne's life had changed after that night. She had to face the stares of people in town and she rarely went on a date. She never got to go to college and pursue her dreams. When Brawley starts to show an interest in her, she is surprised and cautious because she wants someone who just wants her.
I loved how Brawley tried to do whatever he could to get to know Daphne before revealing that he was the father of their daughter. His sister Sadie suggested he write her anonymous letters and Miss Charlene from the Piece Makers pairs him with Daphne to help another older married couple bring life back into their marriage. The two of them needed to pretend to be in a relationship giving them opportunities to discuss what they were looking for in a relationship. Would they get a second chance together after the unfortunate situation they experienced years ago.
This inspirational story is also filled with wonderful advice about what keeps a marriage going as Brawley and Daphne tried to help her neighbors bring joy back into their marriage.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
When the Piece Makers asks Brawley Powers to meet them to deliver a quilt- he has no idea that he is going to have his whole world shift. They ask him a question that brings him back almost eleven years when he made a terrible mistake after drinking too much at a party. Could it really be possible that the girl whose face he never saw was actually Daphne? Brawley repented of what happened but had never forgotten the girl and now to find out that he was possibly the father of Daphne's daughter made him decide he had to discover the truth. If Powell was his daughter he wanted to make things right for both mom and daughter.
Daphne Lessing has carried the responsibility of what happened after she went to a party to stop grieving the death of her father. It was a masked party so she never found out who she was with that night. Her child Powell, that resulted from what happened is her joy. But Daphne's life had changed after that night. She had to face the stares of people in town and she rarely went on a date. She never got to go to college and pursue her dreams. When Brawley starts to show an interest in her, she is surprised and cautious because she wants someone who just wants her.
I loved how Brawley tried to do whatever he could to get to know Daphne before revealing that he was the father of their daughter. His sister Sadie suggested he write her anonymous letters and Miss Charlene from the Piece Makers pairs him with Daphne to help another older married couple bring life back into their marriage. The two of them needed to pretend to be in a relationship giving them opportunities to discuss what they were looking for in a relationship. Would they get a second chance together after the unfortunate situation they experienced years ago.
This inspirational story is also filled with wonderful advice about what keeps a marriage going as Brawley and Daphne tried to help her neighbors bring joy back into their marriage.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
May 4, 2024
He Needed to Tell Her the Truth
This heartwarming book gets better and better as you turn the pages. Bad choices are made, consequences result. It takes 10 long years for it all to manifest but when it does a lot of questions arise.
Daphne is a single mother who has no idea who her daughter’s father is. Before you jump to conclusions, it’s not what you think. Brawley is a single dad, but has no clue. Their one night together was totally out of character for both of them. It was not planned or meant to happen, but it did… and nine months later little Powell was born.
The journey to discovery isn’t easy. There’s deception, there’s attraction and there’s a young, innocent girl to consider.
🧐OBSERVATIONS 🤔
➡️ Love the clean, wholesome storyline that emphasizes forgiveness is possible for those who want it.
➡️ Daphne was a little too understanding about ‘Mr Incognito’s’ letters, especially when you have a young daughter to protect.
➡️ The letters are very good and allow each of them a deeper understanding of each other…. and, they make the storyline much better. However, do you honestly start a relationship with that degree of deception?
➡️ Before anything was confirmed, Brawley seemed to accept Powell was his daughter because of eye color?
➡️ From the cover, I thought the book was going to be more about the father-daughter relationship.
This heartwarming book gets better and better as you turn the pages. Bad choices are made, consequences result. It takes 10 long years for it all to manifest but when it does a lot of questions arise.
Daphne is a single mother who has no idea who her daughter’s father is. Before you jump to conclusions, it’s not what you think. Brawley is a single dad, but has no clue. Their one night together was totally out of character for both of them. It was not planned or meant to happen, but it did… and nine months later little Powell was born.
The journey to discovery isn’t easy. There’s deception, there’s attraction and there’s a young, innocent girl to consider.
🧐OBSERVATIONS 🤔
➡️ Love the clean, wholesome storyline that emphasizes forgiveness is possible for those who want it.
➡️ Daphne was a little too understanding about ‘Mr Incognito’s’ letters, especially when you have a young daughter to protect.
➡️ The letters are very good and allow each of them a deeper understanding of each other…. and, they make the storyline much better. However, do you honestly start a relationship with that degree of deception?
➡️ Before anything was confirmed, Brawley seemed to accept Powell was his daughter because of eye color?
➡️ From the cover, I thought the book was going to be more about the father-daughter relationship.
October 8, 2022
This is the story of Daphne and Brawley. Due to an error in judgement after the death of her father, Daphne is convinced to attend a costume party with some cousins. Unused to drinking, Daphne quickly becomes drunk and loses her inhibitions. As a consequence, Daphne becomes pregnant. Due to the masks worn by participants, she does not know who the father of her child is. Ten years later, a newcomer to their small town notices a resemblance between Brawley and Daphne’s daughter Powell. When asked about this by the town quilters and local matchmakers, Brawley realizes that he is, indeed, the father of Powell. The quilters decide they must intervene and bring Brawley and Daphne together.
I always enjoy how Jessie Gussman brings Christian principles into her stories. There is much discussion between Daphne and Brawley about what constitutes a good marriage. Such qualities as faith, consistency, putting your spouse first, respect, and consideration are brought out. But the most important aspect of a good marriage is to be best friends.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
I always enjoy how Jessie Gussman brings Christian principles into her stories. There is much discussion between Daphne and Brawley about what constitutes a good marriage. Such qualities as faith, consistency, putting your spouse first, respect, and consideration are brought out. But the most important aspect of a good marriage is to be best friends.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
September 15, 2023
'Willing Participants'
I think this has been the best book from this series. I love the letters Brawley and Daphne have written to each other and how they helped Mr. and Mrs. Brown to keep their marriage together.
Every aspect of this story was spiritual and how to avoid sin when looking for a partner - what to do and not to do. I will read this story again because I have learned some things I think could help in my own marriage. My husband doesn't believe in doing favors, so I have to be careful how to ask him when I need something done. I feel like I'm in my marriage by myself.
I the end, Daphne and Brawley had chosen to get married after Sunday Services. There was a potluck meal planned afterwards, with the newlywed couple providing cake and opening wedding gifts. They are now a family.
Make sure to check out the entire 'Coming Home to North Dakota' series. You will love Jessie Gussman books. Enjoy and happy reading!
I think this has been the best book from this series. I love the letters Brawley and Daphne have written to each other and how they helped Mr. and Mrs. Brown to keep their marriage together.
Every aspect of this story was spiritual and how to avoid sin when looking for a partner - what to do and not to do. I will read this story again because I have learned some things I think could help in my own marriage. My husband doesn't believe in doing favors, so I have to be careful how to ask him when I need something done. I feel like I'm in my marriage by myself.
I the end, Daphne and Brawley had chosen to get married after Sunday Services. There was a potluck meal planned afterwards, with the newlywed couple providing cake and opening wedding gifts. They are now a family.
Make sure to check out the entire 'Coming Home to North Dakota' series. You will love Jessie Gussman books. Enjoy and happy reading!
October 9, 2022
Loved Daphne and Brawley's story. Daphne was raising her daughter, taking care of her Mom and their ranch all alone. When Brawley showed up and offered to help with her cattle trailer, she had to accept. Then when Piece Makers ask her to pair up with Brawley to help the Browns save their marriage, she had to accept that too. She loved the Browns and had noticed through the years being neighbors, how they were struggling in their marriage. I read this book in one sitting, it was that good. I had to know answers to my questions, and they did get answered. I laughed and cheered these two couples on. If you like clean inspiring stories with second chances, you can't go wrong with 'Cowboy Looking at Me'. I highly recommend this book, one of my favorites in this series. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
October 29, 2022
Awesome alternative to a Secret Baby Romance 📗.
Years ago, Brawley attended a masquerade party, with some questionable friends. He deeply regretted his actions that night. That's the backstory to Jessie Gussman's "Cowboy Looking At Me (Coming Home to North Dakota Western Sweet Romance Book 9)".
The 📗 can be 📖 as a standalone. But you'll understand the characters best, if you 📖 the Series in Chronological Order.
How does Brawley respond, on finding out he has a daughter? How does God draw Brawley & Daphne toward each other? How does their 💗 turn into a Lifetime 💞, as they help the Browns?
I Highly Recommend You 📖 This Inspirational, Page-Turning 📗, to find out! I ❤d how frank & honest Daphne & Brawley are when discussing how a keep a marriage relationship close over time, with Mr & Mrs Brown. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Years ago, Brawley attended a masquerade party, with some questionable friends. He deeply regretted his actions that night. That's the backstory to Jessie Gussman's "Cowboy Looking At Me (Coming Home to North Dakota Western Sweet Romance Book 9)".
The 📗 can be 📖 as a standalone. But you'll understand the characters best, if you 📖 the Series in Chronological Order.
How does Brawley respond, on finding out he has a daughter? How does God draw Brawley & Daphne toward each other? How does their 💗 turn into a Lifetime 💞, as they help the Browns?
I Highly Recommend You 📖 This Inspirational, Page-Turning 📗, to find out! I ❤d how frank & honest Daphne & Brawley are when discussing how a keep a marriage relationship close over time, with Mr & Mrs Brown. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 28, 2023
free ebook
the ladies in town think he is the dad to the 10 yr old girl, the mom was never married. her dad died and she is taking care of the ranch and her mom
he met a girl at a masked party, they didnt know who each other was, it was out of town
now hes not sure but he things the girl might be his
he goes to her ranch, doesnt know how to bring it up, offers to fix her truck, that she was trying to fix, in exchange for dinner
the quilt ladies get them to help the married couple next door, and in doing so became closer themselves
he started writing her postal letters, she wrote back
but when they got closer she had to stop writing the letters to a man she didnt know, but it turned out it was him
they decided to get married and told the daughter he was her real dad and she was happy
the ladies in town think he is the dad to the 10 yr old girl, the mom was never married. her dad died and she is taking care of the ranch and her mom
he met a girl at a masked party, they didnt know who each other was, it was out of town
now hes not sure but he things the girl might be his
he goes to her ranch, doesnt know how to bring it up, offers to fix her truck, that she was trying to fix, in exchange for dinner
the quilt ladies get them to help the married couple next door, and in doing so became closer themselves
he started writing her postal letters, she wrote back
but when they got closer she had to stop writing the letters to a man she didnt know, but it turned out it was him
they decided to get married and told the daughter he was her real dad and she was happy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
Cowboy Looking at Me is Jessie Gussman’s 9th book in the Coming Home to North Dakota series. It is a sweet book about a man figuring out he has a 10 year old daughter from a night he didn’t make good choices. Although he lives in the same small town as her and her mother, they had been at a costume party and worn masks the entire night, so until someone pointed out the little girl has his eyes he had no idea. The meddling church ladies known as the Piece Makers, once again find a way to point the two unsuspecting parents to each other. As with all of Jess Gussman’s books you will get a good story and Christian references that, at least for me, promotes a good reminder to always be a person you are proud to be.
October 26, 2022
Let me begin by saying this theme was hard for me. I really struggle to understand why teens think they are "grown up" enough to engage in intimacy that results in pregnancy. Since that was what this whole book was based on, I didn't know if I could appreciate the storyline. As you can see, it was a 5 star book! Jessie Gussman always knows how to expand readers' minds to how God sees situations. That we are broken people living in a broken world and we sin. When we seek God's forgiveness and strive to do better, we are forgiven. No one can judge a scenario besides God! I am so happy that Daphne and Brawley (and Powell) got a chance at their happy ever after. I received an advance e-copy of this book from the author. That in no way influenced my opinion of the story.
October 28, 2022
A one-night mistake and a surprise daughter!
No one was more surprised than Brawley Powers when the Piece Makers confronted him about his daughter. He had no idea that the mistake he made so many years ago had created a child and that his daughter and her mother lived in Sweet Water. Brawley decides on a unique way to introduce himself to the woman who had no idea who he was at the time by sending anonymous letters. They never saw each other’s face that night and she has no interest in a relationship with anyone. Will his letters create an opening to get to know his daughter and a second chance to get to know the woman he never forgot?
Such a sweet-second chance romance! I received a free book but this review is voluntary and honest.
No one was more surprised than Brawley Powers when the Piece Makers confronted him about his daughter. He had no idea that the mistake he made so many years ago had created a child and that his daughter and her mother lived in Sweet Water. Brawley decides on a unique way to introduce himself to the woman who had no idea who he was at the time by sending anonymous letters. They never saw each other’s face that night and she has no interest in a relationship with anyone. Will his letters create an opening to get to know his daughter and a second chance to get to know the woman he never forgot?
Such a sweet-second chance romance! I received a free book but this review is voluntary and honest.
October 29, 2022
Cowboy Looking at Me
Another fantastic book by Jessie Gussman. I just can't get enough of this series, it's so good. The matchmakers are at it again. But, this time there's more at stake than usual. When the matchmakers tell Brawley about a young girl in the town, that has his same unusual color of eyes and the timing is right, he realizes this is probably his daughter. What he had always thought of a night that happened years ago, with regret, he realizes might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He just needs to convince the child's mother, Daphne, to give him a chance and see how things work out. As always Jessie Gussman brings her characters to life and writes a compelling, faith-filled book. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Another fantastic book by Jessie Gussman. I just can't get enough of this series, it's so good. The matchmakers are at it again. But, this time there's more at stake than usual. When the matchmakers tell Brawley about a young girl in the town, that has his same unusual color of eyes and the timing is right, he realizes this is probably his daughter. What he had always thought of a night that happened years ago, with regret, he realizes might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He just needs to convince the child's mother, Daphne, to give him a chance and see how things work out. As always Jessie Gussman brings her characters to life and writes a compelling, faith-filled book. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
December 8, 2022
Brawley and Daphne went to a masquerade party that led to drinking and then Daphne raising a daughter by herself. Neither of them ever knew who their other person was. No names or faces were shared. Now, almost 11 years later, Brawley has discovered that he is the father of Daphne's 10 year old daughter. Will Daphne allow him to be a part of his daughter's life? The PieceMakers in town are the matchmaking grannies who also want to see Daphne and Brawley get together and they are determined to help this romance along.
This is a sweet, romantic story that also includes some good marriage advice for those of us who have been married for a while, too.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
This is a sweet, romantic story that also includes some good marriage advice for those of us who have been married for a while, too.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
October 20, 2022
Secret Baby and Sweet and Clean
What a wonderfully sweet and clean romance from the Coming Home to North Dakota series. As always, Miss Jessie's books have an ample helping of faith lessons for us all. This story is about making mistakes and earning forgiveness. Forgiving ourselves and others and giving others the benefit of the doubt. We all have a past, usually one that does not hold up well under scrutiny. But we straighten out our course, get back on the right path, and find things go much better for us. This book can be read independently from the rest of the series, but you will understand all of the nuances and characters if you read them in order.
What a wonderfully sweet and clean romance from the Coming Home to North Dakota series. As always, Miss Jessie's books have an ample helping of faith lessons for us all. This story is about making mistakes and earning forgiveness. Forgiving ourselves and others and giving others the benefit of the doubt. We all have a past, usually one that does not hold up well under scrutiny. But we straighten out our course, get back on the right path, and find things go much better for us. This book can be read independently from the rest of the series, but you will understand all of the nuances and characters if you read them in order.
October 20, 2022
This is such a wonderful series, I love this story. The Peace Makers are so wonderful and cute, they had me giggling in the first chapter, but they also delivered shocking news to Brawley. But they had such a wonderful way of getting Brawley and Daphne together by also helping a couple on the brink of divorce. Both couples had to realize that you need to make your spouse feel special and wonderful things happened for both. This book had a little suspense, who is Powell’s dad, there was forgiveness for characters from God as well as themselves, lots of good marriage advice and of course lots of sweet and wonderful romance. This is such a fantastic book by Jessie
October 29, 2022
I loved this book by Jessie Gussman. It is the love story of Daphne and Brawley. The characters are wonderful and all the advice on how to keep a marriage alive is great. I liked the way the Piece Makers got these two together even though they had been together ten years ago and didn't know it. They were at a masquerade party and both were drunk so they went too far and Daphne had a daughter. It took a newcomer in town to recognize the resemblance of Brawley to Powell, Daphne's daughter. It was an interesting story but well written. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 24, 2022
Wonderful heartwarming story by Jessie Gussman.
Ten years ago Brawley went to a party and did something he’s kept a secret that he’s been too ashamed to think about. Could it really have been Daphne? Since they’d both had too much to drink and had had on masks, he’d never known. The Piece Makers have opened his eyes to the distinct possibility that he has a daughter.
He remembers that night with guilt but also feels the girl was someone special.
Daphne blamed the boy from years ago, but then realized he wasn’t the only one at fault. She also felt he was someone special. Will the Piece Makers bring another couple together?
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
Ten years ago Brawley went to a party and did something he’s kept a secret that he’s been too ashamed to think about. Could it really have been Daphne? Since they’d both had too much to drink and had had on masks, he’d never known. The Piece Makers have opened his eyes to the distinct possibility that he has a daughter.
He remembers that night with guilt but also feels the girl was someone special.
Daphne blamed the boy from years ago, but then realized he wasn’t the only one at fault. She also felt he was someone special. Will the Piece Makers bring another couple together?
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
May 29, 2023
Cowboy Looking at Me
When I started this book, I was excited. You see I love Jessie’s stories.
After reading the first few chapters, I was a little disappointed, you see the main characters went to a party and were drinking. Not so shocking, but the end result leading to a pregnancy. She takes off and he doesn’t even know, doesn’t try to find out who the young man was. That’s the disappointing bit.
I’m going to stop there, I really enjoyed the religious stuff. I enjoyed how the couple grew the friendship.
I only wish it wasn’t so tainted in the beginning. I really would have liked to known more about their lives after. Still decent reading.
When I started this book, I was excited. You see I love Jessie’s stories.
After reading the first few chapters, I was a little disappointed, you see the main characters went to a party and were drinking. Not so shocking, but the end result leading to a pregnancy. She takes off and he doesn’t even know, doesn’t try to find out who the young man was. That’s the disappointing bit.
I’m going to stop there, I really enjoyed the religious stuff. I enjoyed how the couple grew the friendship.
I only wish it wasn’t so tainted in the beginning. I really would have liked to known more about their lives after. Still decent reading.
September 3, 2024
Second chance romance
I really enjoyed this story, we all make mistakes, only some of them change our lives forever. Even a good Christian makes mistakes, sometimes if we are drinking or just going through a bad time, we do something that we might not have otherwise done if our heads were on straight. The girl in this story made an error in judgement, the boy did too but when a girl gets pregnant out of wedlock the girls life changes forever. A good man will be accountable for his actions, he will do whatever needs to be done to fix the situation as best he can.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.
I really enjoyed this story, we all make mistakes, only some of them change our lives forever. Even a good Christian makes mistakes, sometimes if we are drinking or just going through a bad time, we do something that we might not have otherwise done if our heads were on straight. The girl in this story made an error in judgement, the boy did too but when a girl gets pregnant out of wedlock the girls life changes forever. A good man will be accountable for his actions, he will do whatever needs to be done to fix the situation as best he can.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.
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.
October 4, 2022
Lots of faith and life lessons.
Brawley and Daphne made a mistake at a party when both had been drinking. They also made a child. 10 years later a newcomer to town connects Brawley’s looks with his daughter Powell and he realizes she’s his.
The rest of the book is a lot about forgiveness, making a marriage work, and how you should treat someone you like (or love)
A sweet book with a happily ever after ending. I found it hard to put down.
A big thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy for me to proof and review.
Brawley and Daphne made a mistake at a party when both had been drinking. They also made a child. 10 years later a newcomer to town connects Brawley’s looks with his daughter Powell and he realizes she’s his.
The rest of the book is a lot about forgiveness, making a marriage work, and how you should treat someone you like (or love)
A sweet book with a happily ever after ending. I found it hard to put down.
A big thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy for me to proof and review.
October 7, 2022
The Piece Makers texted Brawley they had a quilt for him to deliver. When he got there, Charlene asked him if he was the father of Daphne's daughter, Powell. He was completely shocked by what she said.
He remembered what happened 10 years ago at a masquerade party. Both he and the girl wore masks and never exchanged names or numbers. Could he possibly be Powell's father? If so, would Daphne even want him to be involved in Powell's life?
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion
He remembered what happened 10 years ago at a masquerade party. Both he and the girl wore masks and never exchanged names or numbers. Could he possibly be Powell's father? If so, would Daphne even want him to be involved in Powell's life?
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion
October 9, 2022
Jessie Gussman is known for the surprising meet-cutes of her characters but this one was the most surprising one of all to me especially for a Christian book. But she handles the unsavory elements in this story with good taste and gives readers a lot to think about concerning reaping what you sow and how to stay happily married. I am always both entertained and inspired by her stories and this one was no exception. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary advance copy of the book from the author and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.
October 17, 2022
Jessie Gussman has penned another thoughtful, sweet romance taking a youthful, unwise decision and using to it discuss how we can honour God with our relationships and marriages. A beautiful story, an endearing romance, demonstrating the redemption we have available to us and the integrity it takes to own up to our mistakes but not let them drown us.
A sweet, clean read (even with the inclusion of youthful indiscretion) that can be read as a standalone but it really is more fun to follow the Piece Makers' attempts at dabbling as matchmakers.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
A sweet, clean read (even with the inclusion of youthful indiscretion) that can be read as a standalone but it really is more fun to follow the Piece Makers' attempts at dabbling as matchmakers.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
October 30, 2022
Brawley, Daphne and their little Miss Powell.
Jessie Gussman has again written an excellent piece. The characters were so well done, captivating and so real. That is what I like so much about this author her books have that down home feel to them along with them being faith based it is a win win for me when I get the change to read one of this author stories. Young people make mistakes but what they do about their mistakes is what makes a great story. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Jessie Gussman has again written an excellent piece. The characters were so well done, captivating and so real. That is what I like so much about this author her books have that down home feel to them along with them being faith based it is a win win for me when I get the change to read one of this author stories. Young people make mistakes but what they do about their mistakes is what makes a great story. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
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