The Reluctant Cowgirl

The Reluctant Cowgirl is a story about following one's dreams as well as romance. Basically the cowgirl leaves home at 18 pursuing a career on Broadway and returns seven years later to help take care of her family's ranch. This is a Christian Romance that isn't completely like a fairy tale as most. My favorite part was when the little girl directed her dad and Crystal acting out "Sleeping Beauty" in the barn. Although the ending is predictable, I liked it because there is enough tension and reality to keep things interesting. The Reluctant Cowgirl addresses grieving, letting go of the past, making tough choices, love of family, and God's love.

This is a beautiful story about love, lost loves, and relationships with those who truly matter. Crystal has lost her sister, Jeremy has lost his daughter, and they have both seemed to have lost a sense of themselves in the process. This amazing book is jam packed with drama, love, mystery and suspense, and humbling thoughts of a lost sheep coming back to the fold. I found myself tearing up multiple times while reading this book. I strongly identified with Crystal and some of the struggles that she was facing. She had a dream (but was it really her's?!?) to live out and was sidetracked into greater things along the way. That seems to be the story of my life but so far it's all turned out better than I could have anticipated. This book is not for those who have a tendency to cry at the drop of the hat, however, I recommend that everyone read this! I had a hard time putting it down and enjoyed it cover to cover. I did get a little feared that the ending may not have been how I wanted it, but you'll just have to read the book to find out what does happen. Highly recommended read! :)

This is a romance set in a small town in Arkansas. The main characters are Crystal, a girl with many siblings, most of whom are adopted who lost her twin sister, and with her sister, her faith; and Jeremy, a new rancher whose daughter was recently kidnapped by his ex-wife. His faith helps him through the days. Crystal is an actress who lives in New York; Jeremy lives next to her parents. She comes home to lick her wounds after her play is cancelled and she finds her boyfriend and roommate in bed together. While there, she allows herself to be talked into taking over the ranch for a few weeks while her parents are on a mission trip and second honeymoon. Her brother arranges for Jeremy to help her. While not exactly preachy, the Christian content of this book is obvious. The need to forgive and love our enemies is brought forth through Jeremy. Crystal's faith is renewed and she learns to follow the vocation God has for her. The church family is important to Jeremy and Crystal remembers they care for her too. Anytime people are sharing a meal, a blessing is said. I enjoyed the book and if you are looking for a clean romance and either want or don't mind an overtly Christian message, I think you'll like this one. It is book one in a series about the McCord sisters so I suspect we'll see Crystal and Jeremy again.

Reluctant Cowgirl is a nice homecoming story when Crystal McCord leaves New York City and Broadway when the off Broadway show she is in closes and an emergency meeting is called by her siblings. Help is needed at the home ranch for a little while and it looks like Crystal is the only one that can step up for the time being. Just one problem, she doesn't come home much because of a tragedy seven years ago she can't even sleep in her old room, or upstairs, or in the house... but she'll do anything for her parents. So stay she does, and the neighboring rancher volunteers to help her get her ranching feet back under her so he joins her for the first week or so, all the while dealing with a tragedy all his own. Of course, who expected a little romance to spark between the two of them? Especially when they are both dealing with so much. Then of course Crystal is still trying to deal with landing a new role that will fulfill her dreams of being on Broadway... that is her dream isn't it? Can Crystal figure out what she really wants before she loses everything? I good storyline, strong characters and good resolution. Nothing earthshaking and no big surprises here, but it is a good romance for summer reading, very satisfying.

Heeding Sinatra's advice, Crystal McCord left Arkansas to make it as an actress in New York City. In spite of good reviews for her acting, the play she is in making a Splash folds as the critics kill it. When she returns to her rent controlled apartment, Crystal finds her boyfriend Brad who missed her performance sleeping with her roommate Sasha. Since her family called for a meeting anyway, the Arkansas traveler decides to go home to her parents' ranch to heal from the play's closing and the betrayals. When neighboring rancher Jeremy Buchanan and Crystal meet, sparks fly. She metaphorically considers him to be her potential leading man in this regional theater, but he has a history with her type. As they fall in love, both have decisions to make and stereotypes to overcome. How you're going to keep her down on the ranch after she's seen New York is the underlying theme in this entertaining contemporary romance in which author Christine Lynxwiler avoids dissing either the location as tastes and desires matter. THE RELUCTANT COWGIRL is a fun tale due to the misconceptions of the lead couple re the other. With a strong supporting cast, readers will enjoy this light inspirational as the wannabe in the clouds actress and the grounded rancher fall in love. See ALONG CAME A COWBOY for an even deeper Arkansas character study. Harriet Klausner