Rocky Mountain Hero

Home on the Ranch #2

by Audra Harders

With a broken-down truck, miles to go and little money, single mother Melanie Hunter needs help. It comes in the handsome form of rancher Gabe Davidson. He'll pay for the three-week repair job and provide lodging for her and her boy— if she'll take coordinating the town barbecue off his busy hands. Melanie accepts, figuring she'll soon be on her way to her new life. But as she gets to know the kind townspeople—and the hardworking cowboy her son adores—she realizes she's found her home. Now if only her Rocky Mountain hero will ask her to stay.

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 21, 2010

About the author

Audra Harders writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring cowboys who haven't a clue about relationships rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero and is surrounded by everything conducive to writing about farming, ranching and cowboys at her day job in the county Extension office. She began writing right after her son was born and sold her first book to Steeple Hill Love Inspired mere months before her daughter graduated from college. Surviving those years in between remind her God does have her plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor. You can visit her at www.audraharders.com. Don't be shy!

Reviews

[Madisyn Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This is such a sweet little story. I keep my distance from most contemporaries, and I rarely pick up an LI book, but I'm happy I read Rocky Mountain Hero.

The characters are adorable. Melanie is relatable, Jason is cute and energetic and is hilarious in his little-kid way, and Gabe is Gabe. I think there's a prerequisite that all MCs named Gabe must be near perfect. This is not a complaint, since Gabe was my favorite character.

The plot is simple and heartwarming: the characters experience the gamut of emotions and struggle to adequately handle the curveballs life throws at them. I really liked the faith aspect. So real, so gentle. I could just imagine myself in the church.

The setting is beautiful. I love the mountains, and it was nice to read about a story that didn't take place in the city (blech and yuck).

There were a few things I didn't care for, and I'm only including them in this review so anyone who's contemplating reading this book knows not to harp on the author for them.

The grammar--specifically the use of Standard commas and lack of Oxford, and the occasional lack of a comma before people are addressed. Normally, I'd make a bigger fuss, but since this is a traditionally-published book, it's obvious this breach in proper grammar is the publisher's/editor's fault and not the author's. This is what made the book, for me, a 4.5 instead of a 5. But don't let that stop you from reading it.

Audra Harders has a smooth, easy writing style that added flavor and made this story the fun read it is. If you enjoy Christian contemporary romance, then you'll like Rocky Mountain Hero.

[Mary Connealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell so in love with the hero, Gabe, that I'm still sighing. A great strong on the outside, soft on the inside cowboy. I just adored him. And the heroine beautiful and wounded and putting her child first in every decision no matter the cost to herself. I read a lot and it's pretty common for me to finish a book and remember the story but not names...but Melanie and Gabe, and the bundle of action and fun, Melanie's son Jason will stay with me for a long time. And Gabe's got two brothers who've abandoned the ranch. They need their own story SOON. Get this book in your hands asap.

[Sherrinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I have to say, I thought Gabe was breathtaking. He is a tough cowboy with a soft underbelly, who has a way with kids. Of course, as a mom, Melanie is drawn to such a handsome, caring guy who takes her son under his wing, spending precious time with him and becoming a hero in his eyes. Or should I say, a hero in her eyes too! There were some great romantic scenes, including one at the kitchen sink, involving a knife and a fish. Very unique and oh-so-sigh-worthy! There is great tension between Gabe and Melanie, and I am so glad I got to read their story. And...Gabe has two brothers who, I am hoping, need their own story! I am certainly looking forward to more books from this wonderful author!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Single mother and her 9 year old son’s truck wrecks and ends up working on a ranch. Falls for ranch owner. Broken relationships with her parents who rejected her after she got pregnant and the father demanded she get an abortion and took off . Hey parents demanded she give the baby up for adoption for appearances sake, then her church turned on her as an unwed mother.
- dated in attitudes
- lots of stereotypes: church/ parents rejecting unwed mother status, do nothing father wanting abortion,
- calls for more effort on her part to accept her parents vs her parents fitting into her life, needs stages of acceptance and regressions to seem realist
- fearful females, needing to be rescued
++scenery Colorado rural areas
+ showed difficulty of single parenthood & need to community support
+ more kissing and thoughts about attraction than in most religious romances
+ 9 year old seemed pretty realistic, made him get ti know grandparents even though he wasn’t comfortable with them

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this novel but thought the action moved a little slowly. I did like the main characters but felt that the plot needed more excitement.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read. Loved the warmth brought into the main characters life by the townsfolk.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroes come in many forms in romance novels. They can be bad boys in need of redemption or men who have simply lost their way. But sometimes, they are rock solid men of integrity wrapped in a very handsome package. Rocky Mountain Hero may be the title of Audra Harders' debut book but it is also the perfect description of Gabe, the cowboy who takes "down on her luck" heroine, Melanie, and her son into his home and his heart. In this engaging story, it is easy for the reader to fall in love with Gabe just as Melanie does. But there is more to the story than just a handsome hero with faith and generosity.

Harders' has created a warm community to embrace a woman who is used to doing things on her own. In addition to the relationship between Melanie and Gabe, the growing bond between Gabe and her son Jason is just as endearing. The setting is vividly described and makes the reader feel like they are in the mountains experiencing the beauty along with the rest of the characters. The struggles of the hero and heroine ring true. Rocky Mountain Hero is a well-rounded story full of love, lessons learned and likable characters.

[Myra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel by Audra Harders is a captivating read. Set in the scenic Colorado Rockies, the story features a single mom who gets sidelined by a broken-down truck on her way to a job interview. When a genuine Rocky Mountain hero rescues her and offers temporary housing and money to repair her vehicle in exchange for her help in organizing the town barbecue, how can she resist? Harders has created engaging characters that quickly work their way into your heart. The romantic arc is touching and believable as they grow to trust each other and themselves and discover what really matters most. I'll be looking forward to many more stories from this excellent author.

[Tamera Westhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is about a single mom and her son who are on their way to her job interview when her truck goes off the road and crashes big time! She needs help, but doesn't have the money to fix her truck and start life in a new place, so when her rescuer offers to fix her truck if she just takes over helping with a barbecue, she gives in! Talk about a run-on sentence! She learns to love the town, the people, and of course, her rescuer. Very cute story! I can't imagine anything like that happening in real life, but it's not meant to be real, right? I especially like the ending, very nicely done!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book. I loved the characters and their romance. The setting was perfect for a gal like myself that likes westerns even though the book is set in modern day. I hope to read more of Audra Harders stories!

[Kym McNabney · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover was great. The title was great. The synopsis was great. But in the end by page 70 I had to put it down. There wasn't enough deep POV or action to hold my attention. I wasn't enthused about the writing, either.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

(sigh) Such an awesome book. Gabe, the hunky cowboy hero, is adorable. The heroine, Mealine, is equally adorable. Add her eight year old son to the mix and you get a great book. Low conflict - very much appreciated - and an epilogue. My kind of book! Moving on to book two in the series.

[Sue King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I love this book. The main character is very likable. I can't wait until she writes more books.

[Joanne Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance that definitely had me rooting for the hero AND heroine (and loving that little son of hers!). Delightful!

[Linnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story!

[Fran Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Melanie and Gabe are drawn to each other. Melanie and her son were given refuge and given opportunities by Gabe's family. Beautiful story

[Tammy Cable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I loved all the characters, the town and all the residents! The plot was real to life and I love that her characters never became whiney over their struggles!

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, told well. Hard to believe it was her debut novel.