Home to Crossroads Ranch

by Linda Goodnight

Finally, Rainy Jernagen has the child-filled home she's always wanted! Okay, so she still hasn't found Mr. Right, but the foster kids she's taken in fill her heart "almost" completely. Then handyman/rancher Nate Del Rio comes knocking, and Rainy starts to wonder if she really can have it all. There's only one problem: Nate doesn't want kids. At all. And nothing Rainy says will change his mind. Of course, she's not going to let that stop her. Not when she has a houseful of adorable allies to raid Nate's ranch and win his heart--whether he likes it or not.

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian, Christian Romance, Romance, Christian Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published February 24, 2009

About the author

NY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels of faith and family that point to hope through Christ. Her emotional stories have won the RITA , the Carol, the Reviewer’s Choice, and numerous other industry awards. Her two great passions are faith in Jesus and her large extended family. (And pie. she loves pie.)
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and the book.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was very sweet and touching, not to mention well-written for a paperback romance.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a great brownie recipe in the back, I use it to make brownies.

[Kati Driban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a favorite

I have had the paperback of this book many years. It started falling apart from all the times I have read it. I finally broke down and got the Kindle version. This is a heartwarming story of love, forgiveness and fun. Also be sure to try Danny's brownies - they have been my favorites for years.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat Del Rio doesn't want children in his life; then he meets Rainy Jernagen, a foster parent, who wants as many children as she can afford in her life. The two become attracted to each other but must overcome previous life experiences before they can commit to a relationship with each other. This book provides some scenes that are both humorous and touching. I enjoyed it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nate had decided there would be no marriage nor any children in his life. That was until Rainey came into his life with her four foster kids. Read how his mind was cleared. He learned a very important lesson and gained a family.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this one. I remember wanting to become a foster family.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. I laughed and cried.

[Steven Brower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I'm an adoptive mom, and easily understood all of the emotions in this story. Very touching. thank you. Please keep writing.

[Jamie Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Cute easy read.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

When talking about Love Inspired romances, I always name Linda Goodnight as one of my favorite authors (along with Jillian Hart). But looking back over my reading logs today, I realized that this book is only the third book I've read by her (the other two being Finding Her Way Home and Missionary Daddy). Obviously I really enjoyed them, but if I hadn't already discovered her, this book would make me an instant fan.

Rainy is a sweet and likable heroine, a school teacher who is fostering a sibling group of three, plus another little girl. She's always wanted a houseful of kids and after not finding a Christian man and falling in love and having kids with him, she's turned to being a foster parent instead, putting romance on the back burner. She's not adverse to being married someday, but isn't willing to settle for just any man either.

Enter Nate Del Rio. He's certainly not looking for a wife, and he doesn't want to have any kids, ever. Which was a baffling attitude, because he's really good with the kids and they take to him very quickly. There's a tragedy in his past that is often alluded to, and it doesn't take long to sort of figure out the gist of it, though he details and circumstances are still quiet a surprise when he finally tells Rainy about it.

Great characters, including the children. Some snappy dialogue that made me laugh out loud at times. A very enjoyable book.

*SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER* Do not read further if you are against spoilers:

Being a foster parent can be heartbreaking at times, and some of the storyline dealing with that left a sour taste in my mouth. I work in the adoption field and I'm familiar with my state's DHS and the push for reunification. The little girl who is not part of the sibling girl ends up being placed back into her mother's custody, and I would have really liked more resolution to that storyline, i.e., reassurance that her mother really had turned her life around and that reunification really was the best step for that child. Because in real life it doesn't always work out that way.

[Pat Oringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very moved by this story and could not put it down. The character development was so visceral I felt as if I was actually with the characters instead of reading about them. The heroine comes across as such a strong woman of God with such tremendous energy that you feel compelled to follow her and understand full well why the hero wants to be part of her world. The dialogue, the settings, the children's stories and the realistic, manliness of the hero round this one out to a favorite of mine and possibly my all-time favorite by the author.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lovely book about a woman named Rainy who takes care of adopted children in her home by herself. She enjoyed what she does and is happy with her living situation until the day Mr. Right walks right into her life. Nate is the handyman from her church and it seems to be a match made in heaven. Rainy falls head over heels for him and he feels the same for her. A very lovely book that you can read very quickly that will leave you smiling and wanting more.

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home to Crossroads Ranch is a tender story of a foster mother and a rancher. Love is exhibited in several ways in this book. The main characters are well written. I recommend this contemporary romance to others.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was your typical "near-tragedy makes hero and/or heroine notice how their thinking was off and they all lived happily ever after" ending.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Love the book so much!!! Loved the way she brought each of the kids character to life, and showed how much they changed!!