Home On The Range
Reviewed by Bonnie Roof
Five Stars *****
Home On The Range is the second in the Double S. Ranch series - the story of Nick Stafford and Dr. Elsa Andreas. After a tragedy in her family therapy practice, Elsa retreats in seclusion to a small cottage in the woods of Grays Glen, Washington. Abandoned by his mother at a young age, Nick blames his father Sam Stafford's parenting techniques and is resentful of the time his father has spent building up his name and large ranch in central Washington. Abandoned again, by his wife, Nick was left to raise two daughters alone and is determined not to make the same parenting mistakes his parents made. Having stayed to work his family's large ranch after his brothers left to pursue their own passions - Nick's life becomes even more complicated when his oldest daughter, Cheyenne, creates problems at school.
When Cheyenne's school principal persuades the principal's sister, Elsa, to guide Nick's daughters, and hopefully draw Elsa out of seclusion in the process - a love/hate relationship is set off between Elsa and Nick re Elsa's therapy techniques with his children. Nick is forced to re-examine his own plans for his children and his opinion of his chronically ill father while Elsa faces a crisis in which she is confronted with her feeling of guilt over past mistakes.
Home On The Range is a beautiful romance and family story of forgiveness, acceptance, change, hope, redemption, restoration, and faith - one of my favorite stories from Ruth Logan Herne, as well as my favorite of her beautiful book covers.
***~~***
Reviewed by Bonnie Roof
Five Stars *****
December 18th
Eight and one half month pregnant E.R. nurse Mia O'Loughlin is preparing to leave for the 1200 mile drive from San Diego, California to Roslyn, Washington to visit her dying grandfather when cowboy Jed Taylor appears at her door. The longtime best friend of her husband Daniel - killed in Afghanistan, Jed had been summoned by his mother and Mia's aunt, Pauline, to escort Mia home. His father deceased, Jed works with cranky Uncle Pete in operating the family's Taylor Farm, Ranch, and Home Supply - in addition to his 400 head of cattle and horse ranch. He's anxious to complete his mission and return home due to the 12" of early snow, blizzard threats, and there being no one able to fill his shoes at the store or ranch where December's sales are a large part of end-of-year profit margins.
When their journey is detoured by heavy snow, causing a rock slide, and later - a snowdrift avalanche blocking the road, Mia and Jed are forced to walk to seek shelter. Finding the Star Inn Bed and Breakfast in the small picturesque town of Heywood, Oregon, Mia and Jed spend the time becoming more closely reacquainted and helping the town's storm victims. Mia struggles to come to terms with the dysfunction of having been raised with an indifferent alcoholic father after the death of her mother, her feelings of lack of self-worth, the guilt from only infrequent visits to her grandfather, and secrets of repercussions from a cheating husband.
Silent Night, Star-Lit Night is a beautifully touching, inspiring romantic novella and story of two families - their hope, forgiveness, and healing through the true spirit and message of Christmas.
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Links to purchase:Home on the Range
Silent Night, Star-lit Night:
Giveaway: Ruth Logan Herne is generously providing a signed paperback copy of Home On The Range as a giveaway to one blessed commenter on the above reviews of her books. If the winner is an international resident, an e-Book will be provided instead. AND two winners of ebook copies of Silent Night, Star-Lit Night!!!
Please leave your email address in a safe format - for contact purposes, should you be our winner.
Wonderful reviews Bonnie. Agree, Home on the Range's cover is beautiful & the story sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your books Ruth.
Blessings, Tina
Tina, so nice to see you here! And thank you so much for the congrats, I absolutely love working on this series with Waterbrook Press. Cowboys.... land.... cattle, horses and dogs... and puppies! OH YAY!!!! :)
DeleteDoesn't that cover just melt your heart, Tina!! The story inside will also-guaranteed - so touching!! Thanks for your comments, Tina!!
DeleteThank you for your wonderfully enticing reviews, BONNIE! I LOVE the cover of Home on the Range as well. I mean who wouldn't like a hunky cowboy with a cute child hanging on his leg, right? lol Thank you for being with us again on OWG, RUTHIE! One question: You write so many books! When do you eat and sleep? ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana!! Ruthy claims she does both - eat and sleep, that is, LOL!! She's amazingly prolific - not only writing for at least 3 publishers + indie publishing but also operating a daycare and a farm which sells produce, eggs and her baked goods. And so much more!! Going to bed early and rising at 4 a.m. to write works wonderfully well for her (sure wish I had some of her energy). She appears to do it all perfectly also, as is evident by the sales of over a million copies of her beautiful, inspiring books and online pictures of delicious baked goods, produce, beautiful farm, and smiling children!!
DeleteI am hiring Bonnie to do my promo for me from now on!!! Laughing!!!! Diana, Bonnie's right, I get up in the middle of the night to write, and I'm so excited to do it! I never have to make myself write... or push myself to the chair. I love writing stories, I love telling stories and I love evoking emotion, whether it's laughter or tears or the urge to smack someone upside the head!
DeleteI'm so glad you're here today! Lovely to see you, and while I don't do it all perfectly (as my family would be HAPPY TO ATTEST!!!!) :) I love what I do and the rest of life kind of rebounds around that!!!
LOL, whether you hire me or not - I'm paid royally via the enjoyment and inspiration derived from each of your wonderful books, Ruthy!! I love all that emotion contained in your writing - and yes, I've experienced it all myself also while reading your books. Laughter, tears, and the urge to smack a character or two upside the head, LOL!! I also love all your joy, generosity, kindness, enthusiasm, faith, and love of life, people, and writing - your light shines brightly in all that you do, Ruthy!! Sounds almost perfect to me, but we won't tell anyone else that's not the case, LOL!!
DeleteThanks for the reviews, Bonnie, and featuring Ruth Logan Herne's books today. I read and enjoyed Ruthie's first book in the Double S Ranch Series very much, and I look forward to reading this one, as well! And who doesn't love great Christmas books? Ruthie is a terrific author (and yes, prolific), and I'm always anxious to see what she has coming out next. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win them. I'm not sure what you mean by a "safe" format, but my email is jdurgin9587 at att.net. I think that's the way to do it (feel free to edit, if necessary). Thank you, ladies! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHi, JoAnn!! If you enjoyed the first book in the Double S Ranch series, I think you will love 'Home on the Range' - and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' is a beautiful story that will get you in the mood for Christmas and perhaps snow too, LOL!! Ruthy's books are all winners that inspire and touch the reader's heart-strings - so glad you've been blessed by her books, thanks for your wonderful comments and good luck!! Blessings to you too!!
DeleteJoAnn, hello!!! Thanks for coming over here, and I'm so glad you love my work... I do, too! How blessed am I to be living my dream in the middle of life like this??? And to be doing it and offering God's word and grace and smiles along with it? SWEEEEET!!!!
DeleteTucking your name into the cowboy hat!
Love cowboys! These books sound great.
ReplyDeletescruggs2 Comcast net
monkeysmama, me too! And I love that "handle", monkeysmama!!!! I can picture you with little boys, dashing all over the place!
DeleteYou came to the right place then, monkeysmama!! I think you're gonna' fall hard for cowboy Nick Stafford when you read 'Home on the Range' - afterward, you will be enticed to immediately want to read book 1 of the series (if you haven't already) so you might as well purchase it now, LOL. Book 3 in the series will be released in the Spring of 2017 - each of the 3 books has a cowboy hero to swoon over and a beautiful story, LOL!! Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteBoth sound great! I haven't read either yet. I'm working my way through all of Ruth's books as I can get them from the library. katherineDOTLDOTgoodATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteKatherine, the library was my fall-back for a lot of years when there was a house full of kids and not so much money! I love the libraries, and the library system is a wonderful thing! Do you have a favorite book of mine? And if so... why?
DeleteCrossing my fingers you will be blessed by winning one of the 3 giveaways and receiving one of Ruthy's books you can keep for your own personal library, Katherine!! You will love both 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' - however, you've probably already guessed that since you've read other of Ruthy's books. Thanks for commenting!!
DeleteThese sound fantastic - I live in Eastern Washington and love to run into stories that are based in the region. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. cmcfaithingod(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteChristine, I've fallen in love with your state. It's beautiful, modern enough, here and there and rustic enough in all the right places... and the central Washington valley is GORGEOUS!!!! Cle Elum, Roslyn, all the sweet spots dotting that I-90 corridor... Love it!
DeleteChristine, I'd love to tour Washington state - especially the area nearest the Pacific - the only time I've been there was an airline stopover at the Canadian border. I'm sure it's beautiful - I feel you will find Ruthy has done a wonderful job of describing the beauty there in her books that have a Washington setting. Thanks for your great comments, enjoy Ruthy's books!!
DeleteGreat reviews! I wished I could write a great review when I read a book. I write them but their not that good. These books sure sound like good ones. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeletegrandmama_brendaATyahooDOTcom
Thank you, Brenda!! I don't have the skill in reviewing and beauty with words that some of my review peers do, but with frequent reviewing comes more ease in writing them. Book reviews are crucial to most authors, however, I think many will tell you a good rating and just a couple of lines relating what you enjoy about their books will please them greatly!! So keep writing them - please!! Thanks for your wonderful comments - hoping you have the opportunity to enjoy 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night very soon!!
DeleteBrenda, authors love simple reviews... and you know what? They're great for readers, too! They say it's good to have a mix of reviews, otherwise we look unbelievable... and we don't want that! So if you leave a simple one, just know we're grateful! And I'm so glad you're here today!
DeleteGreat review! I always enjoy Ruthy's books so I'm really looking forward to this one. And that cover is just precious!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
Yes, the cover melted my heart for sure, Heidi - and the story even more so!! Can't wait for you to meet that adorable little girl, and of course, "hunky" cowboy Nick, LOL!! 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' is a touching story also - I love all the emotion Ruthy puts into her books, and love that they reveal lessons learned, redemption, forgiveness, hope, elements of faith, and happy endings. Thanks for commenting and good luck!!
DeleteHeidi, they knocked it out of the park with this cover, didn't they? So precious! And I'm so glad to see you here! Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteAnd I'm so glad that Bonnie included the St. Martin's novella here today, because it is absolutely charming... It makes me smile just thinking about it, and I made their hometown in Central Washington, too, because they were traveling through Oregon at Christmas... So it made perfect sense!
Sounds like a 5 star read to me.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Both books were that for me, Mary, hoping you find them to be also!! They're both beautiful, inspiring stories - please try both very soon!! Thanks for stopping by!!
DeleteMary Preston, waving to you!!!! Thanks so much for coming over, I just brought some fresh cookies for tea!!!
Delete:D I'VE BEEN DYING TO READ HOME ON THE RANGE ever since I finished Back in the Saddle!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to see what happens with those girls! ;)
Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
I'd love for you to have the opportunity to read it very soon, Amada - here's hoping for a win!! Those sweet girls will keep you entertained to say nothing of Nick's father Sam, the housekeeper and her mother, Nick and Elsa, and the appearance of a new troublesome character - whose name I won't divulge!! I loved 'Back in the Saddle', but enjoyed 'Home on the Range' even more and can't wait to learn more about brother #3 - in book 3!! Thanks for your sweet comments!!
DeleteWHOO HOO! Now I'm even MORE Intrigued! ;) I do LOVE Sam's character!
DeleteAnd I'm looking forward to baby brother's tale also! :D All of these characters and plots are so unique and entertaining!
Thank you Bonnie!
Unique, entertaining and full of faith, romance, lessons learned, and happy endings!! Loving the changes in Sam!! Glad I've amped up the intrigue for you, Amada - I feel sure you'll find the story all I've proclaimed it to be, and much more. Thanks for your beautiful comments!!
DeleteAmada! So nice to meet you over here, and I'm glad you loved "Back in the Saddle"!!! Me, too! :)
DeleteNick's character has so much little brother baggage that he was wonderfully fun to bring around to a much more huggable nature... and Elsa is a marvelous helpmate for him, she's not afraid to keep him on his toes! :)
I am amazingly blessed to have you in my readership!
Wonderful reviews, Bonnie. I would love to read both of these books! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebettimace(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Betti!! They're both winners - enjoy, and thanks for commenting!!
DeleteBetti, thank you for coming over! Bonnie did a wonderful job (as always!!!) and I am so blessed to know these women... and to hear their voices ring out to support Christian fiction! Yay!
DeleteThey look so fantastic! Can't wait to read them, whether I win or not!
ReplyDeleteTrdivincenzo (at) gmail (dot) com
DeleteHi, Terry!! I so relate - a joy to read, whether you win, purchase, or check them out from the library!! Thanks for your comments - hope you pull out a win, but please consider purchasing them for your personal library if you don't. Such beautiful, inspiring stories!!
DeleteBonnie, you are the BEST CHEERLEADER, EVER!!!! :)
DeleteTerry, I hope you love the stories... They're both bound in faith, hope, love and forgiveness with some clueless guy stuff thrown in for comic relief... mixed with a splash of crazy female angst! :)
Gotta love the mix!
Thank you, Ruthy - nothing I love more than making readers aware of gifted authors and their entertaining, inspiring books!!
DeleteWhat a sweet cover....Great post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletedebsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com
It's the best, isn't it - Debbie?? We moms and grandmas relate, LOL!! Thanks for commenting!!
DeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDelete'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' are just that -great- and even more, Nikki!! I hope you love them!! Good luck and thanks for commenting!!
DeleteNIKKI: Please leave your email address - for contact purposes, should you be one of our winners. Would love to see you win one of these beautiful books!! Thank you!!
DeleteBeautiful review, BONNIE! I'm excited to read Home on the Range.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Thank you so much, Caryl!! 'Home on the Range' is definitely a story to get excited about - you will love it, and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' also!! Thanks for your comments and your support!!
DeleteJust about the right time to add a Christmas novella to my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read either of Ruth's books.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I agree, Patty - I always enjoy the Christmas novellas!! Here's hoping you win one of Ruthy's beautiful books - both winners, for sure!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!
DeleteI love my books and can't get enough of them
ReplyDeleteNeither can I, gandnanny - the reason I feel the necessity of having more than I will probably ever be able to read, while ever continuing to add to my addictive collection, LOL!! But - how can devoted readers resist when enticed by those beautiful covers binding works from such gifted authors such as Ruth?? Of course she's an enthusiastic enabler in that she makes it so easy to continue adding to my collection by her frequent release of new books, however, her writing and those beautiful storylines is the real draw!! Thanks for your comment and good luck!!
DeleteGRANDNANNY: please leave your email address for contact purposes, should you be one of our winners. Thank you!!
DeleteVery nice review Bonnie! I really want to read both of these books. Added to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteandreastephens at yahoo dot com
Thank you, Andrea!! I think you will love them both, and please read the first book in the Double S Ranch series also if you haven't already. You can enjoy reading them separately, however, even more enjoyment when you have the story of 2 Stafford brothers - the 3rd brother's story is due to release next Spring. They're all beautiful, inspiring stories. Enjoy, and thanks for your comments!!
DeleteBeautiful review Bonnie! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Ruth's newest one. I have 'Back in the Saddle' and would love to add this to it :-)
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you, Trixi!! Yes, you will definitely want to read the continuing story of the Stafford family in 'Home on the Range' and find out more about brother Nick and his adorable girls (it's my fave of the two). You'll love it!! You'll then be up-to-date for the story of brother #3 when it releases in Spring 2017. Thanks for your wonderful comments, Trixi!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win it looks like a great book iamabho (at) gmail (.) com
ReplyDeleteBoth of them
DeleteHi, Linda!! 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' are both beautiful, inspiring stories - I think you would enjoy either of them. Please stop by the blog again soon and good luck in the drawing!!
DeleteBoth of these books sound absolutely fantastic. I hope I win one, but I will definitely buy them even if I don't. I can just tell that they are both great stories. Thanks for this opportunity, Ruth Logan Herne and Bonnie! I can see how popular they are by the many comments. Can you tell us when the wwinner will be chosen. That way I know when to buy them.
ReplyDeleteConnie White
c4kwhite (at) gmail (dot) com
Yes, both books are "absolutely fantastic" stories, Connie - so glad you have chosen to enjoy each of them. If you haven't read the first book in the Double S Ranch series, 'Back in the Saddle', I feel sure you will want to read it also. It tells the story of another of the Stafford family brothers while book 3, the story of the 3rd brother, releases Spring 2017. Each can be enjoyed as a standalone book, however, you will love them even more if you have the opportunity to read them all. Book giveaway winner names should be contacted within a week. Thanks for your sweet comments!!
DeleteTwo of the best books I've read in the last year have been written by Ruth Logan Herne! She is a "go-to" author for me and I would love to win either of these two books by her.
ReplyDeletepgraber60(at)Gmail(dot)com
I so agree with your comments, Pam - Ruthy is one of the best!! I'm amazed at her accomplishments yet love that she releases new books on such a frequent basis. Thanks for your sweet comments - hope you have the opportunity to read these 2 beautiful books very soon!!
DeleteBoth books look enticing. The little girl on the cover is so cute!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Becky Griggs
beckygriggs75@gmail.com
Hi, Becky!! She's adorable, isn't she?? I read that she is the daughter of the male model on the cover - one reason the cover is so realistic, I'm sure. I think you will love both 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' - both beautifully inspiring stories. Thanks for your wonderful comments - blessings back, Becky!!
DeleteBoth of these books sound good and I love the cover to Home on the Range.
ReplyDeleteSusanmsj at MSN dot com
Susan, the cover is so touching, isn't it?? So is the story in both 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night'!! Enjoy - thanks for your comments and good luck in the drawing!!
DeleteFirst of all, I will read ANYTHING Ruth writes! (Well, even I have my limits, but Ruth hasn't crossed them yet) With that out of the way, I have an even greater affinity for the Double S Ranch series - and NOT because of the cowboys, but that certainly helps. Am I right?! ;-) No, it's because I am a die-hard Washingtonian and I love that this series takes place in the state I call home. I'm loving this series so much that I've already pre-ordered Book three, Peace in the Valley. With this recent series and now the novella, Silent Night, Star-lit Night, also taking place in WA, Ruth Logan Herne has catapulted into the "Bestest Author" zone! :-D tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLove your comments, Terrill - LOL, thank you!! I agree about Ruthy's books - I've loved each one, including the ones set in Washington state (I'd love the opportunity to tour the state). Yes, she is one of the 'Bestest Authors", LOL!!
DeleteIn all seriousness, Bonnie, Ruth's books are really and truly wonderful. In addition to her beautiful books, I am always blessed by her transparent and authentic love for the Lord. It's so obvious in her books as well as her blog posts and comments. That's always a huge draw for me when seeking new books to read. Thank you for always reviewing books from authors I enjoy. :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful/compelling cover along with the thought provoking story line! Have visited Washington one time - beautiful state for a story setting. Enjoyed the review. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteEveryone is attracted to the cover of 'Home on the Range' - it's a beauty, isn't it, Cathy?? Ruth commented she was quite "taken" with the state of Washington when touring it - I think that comes out in her writing of the series, it is a beautiful state. I think you will love both of her books featured in my reviews. Thanks for your wonderful comments!!
DeleteIt would be my honor and a blessing to own either of these books. Thank you for your review and the covers are beautiful! carlaganell(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAmen, Carla - I too count it an honor and blessing for each of Ruth's books I own and have read/reviewed!! I think you will love both 'Home on the Range' and 'Silent Night, Star-Lit Night' - thanks for your great comments!!
DeleteThanks for a great review and a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
And thanks for your comments, Connie!! Ruth has been so generous with the giveaways on her wonderful books - please give both books a try, I think you will love her beautiful stories!!
DeleteLove the review and would love to read the book. New author for me and I do read reviews on authors I don't know. Love to enter contest & try new authors. Thanks for the chance & the book sounds terrific.
ReplyDelete