Audiobook: What a great start of this new series. From the beginning, the characters captured my attention and their adventures were very interesting. With suspense, romance and faith lessons, this book had it all. The narrator, Susan Hanfield, had a very clear voice and made it easy to listen. She reflected the action of the book very well. I appreciated her talent with different character voices. I certainly enjoyed these characters and I was glad to go along for the ride. I look forward to listening to the next book in the series.

Jody Hedlund at her best creating romance amidst God's message. I didn't want to put it down, and I never wanted it to end.

This book was funny and charming and spicy and sweet with a little bit of danger and suspense, everything I like in a good cowboy story.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

In some ways, A Cowboy for Keeps reads a little like a Hallmark movie. You have the cowboys, the heroine who is starting over, and the sibling she cares for facing a serious diagnosis. Some of the dialogue is a little cheesy and predictable and there weren't any major surprises in the plot itself and yet . . .

This book is exactly what I needed for the end of winter blahs, I loved it.

Hedlund has given the usually western romance a spin by placing her main characters, Greta and Wyatt, in a marriage of convenience so early in the story the characters are barely established. This really gave the story an enjoyable twist as now readers are invited into the newly established McQuaid household during the three months they've given themselves to see if the marriage will work.

I enjoyed the dynamics this brought as Hedlund used this uncertain marriage to explore some of the fears and concerns that can creep into a relationship. Greta's concerns about not becoming a burden were so carefully explored as she sought to prove her worth and find safety. Wyatt's concerns about provision and caring for a family were believable. Also, I'm a sucker for a good mentor character and Judd quickly won a place in my heart with his mix of guarded cowboy and absolutely softy with Astrid. Finally, I appreciated how the story talked about loss and Hedlund's theme of sharing burdens both in faith and in community.

Astrid, though a minor character, was a personal highlight of the story. As a disabled person it's so frustrating to see how often disabled characters are used solely as a burden or as inspiration, misunderstood plot devices instead of characters. Astrid was a delight though. I loved her spunk and drive. I loved her blend of wisdom and naivete. I also appreciated how Hedlund dove into some of the harder parts of long term illness looking at how it can affect caregivers, as well as the isolation and mental effects it can have on the person affected.

I'm so excited to see where Hedlund takes these characters with the rest of this series.

4 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Greta would do anything to help her little sister, Astrid, get well, including signing up to be a mail-order bride, and move across the country to marry a stranger. Instead of finding better lives, the two arrive in Fairplay, Colorado, robbed, hungry and exhausted, only to discover her fianc has died. Now penniless, what will become of them in this small, hopeless place?

Wyatt is coerced into marrying Greta in exchange for secretly getting an investment in his cattle. Greta and Wyatt work hard for the ranch to success, and try to live like a family for Astrid's sake. But every time they make progress, they face almost impossible hardships including someone purposely destroying their cattle to cause them to fail.

If Greta learns the truth of why their marriage took place, will she ever believe Wyatt could have feelings for her? Will Astrid's worsening health make it impossible for them all to stay together? Does the surprising truth revealed towards the end of the tale break them up despite how they all feel?

Be prepared to be unable to put this book down, every turn of the page will bring more excitement. Exploration of faith in God adds to the reality of the story. This yarn stands alone, however, there is a big cliff hanger leading into the next installment in the series. Those who like stories of the Old West, cowboys and romance will enjoy this 5-star book.

Bethany House Publishers provided Tickmenot with a complimentary book copy for the purpose of review. Opinions are my own.