It would take a Christmas miracle to get these two together

Veterinarian Janice Sullivan has been horse-crazy all her life and only wanted to work on her family’s cattle farm, the Three Sisters Ranch, but her father’s constant criticisms drove her away, forcing her to choose a new career in dressage and leaving her secret crush behind. With the ranch facing possible bankruptcy, Janice has an idea to save it – a woman’s retreat. With Christmas around the corner, Janice is not only hoping for a chance under the mistletoe with the one man she’s been unable to forget but also to give a few cowgirl wannabes a chance in the saddle.

Bah humbug! The last thing ranch foreman Nate Pierson needs is a bunch of weepy or giggly eggnog-swilling city chicks getting in his way and distracting his men while they’re busting their tails wrangling longhorns. His short temper and lack of patience often push people away except for the one woman he needs to leave alone. As tempting as she is, Janice, the boss’ daughter, can never be anything more than a fantasy. The only Christmas spirit he wants is 100 proof, especially when he has to matchmake Janice with the ranch’s vet.

Nate knows from experience that Christmas miracles are for suckers, but it doesn’t stop his heart from wishing Janice could wind up under his tree instead of with the man her Daddy wants her to marry.

Titles in the Three Sisters Ranch series include – The Cowboy’s Daughter  —♥— The Cowboy’s Hunt —♥— The Cowboy’s Heart —♥— A Cowboy for April —♥— A Cowboy for June —♥— A Cowboy for Merry —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

(This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. Think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of somewhat connecting series set in a fictional town. Our Last Stand, Texas page can be found here.)

Title:  The Cowboy’s Heart
Series:  Three Sisters Ranch #3
Author:  Jamie K. Schmidt
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  November 11, 2019
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

I confess I’ve been waiting for Nate and Janice to finally get the attention and the love that they both deserve – from each other.  Trouble is that Frank, Janice’s father has other plans for his daughter and they do not include anything to do with his ranch foreman.  One would think after Frank’s other daughters did quite well in the future husband department (with none of his help only hindrance) that he’d learn to well, frankly, butt out.  But no, he has a plan and that included a rich husband for his remaining single daughter, free vet services from the rich vet (who would be family of course), and has ensured that Nate understands that the woman he loves is off-limits, in fact, he’s expected to push Janice toward Pete.

To say that The Cowboy’s Heart will wreck your heart, and eventually heal it back up again is the understatement of the year.  I ran the emotional gambit with this story from hope to anger, tossing in some smiles, maybe a few unintentional laughs, and a whole lot of hoping that one younger man would simply stand up to an old bully and go after the woman who made his life complete.  So without giving away spoilers (aside from what’s already in the Cover Description), this is a romance that fulfilled my every wish for this couple – one hard-fought battle right up to the happy ending.  I’ve enjoyed this series, and would definitely recommend it, and hope there are still tales to tell in Last Stand, Texas from Ms. Schmidt.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

**This review first appeared on my Keeper Bookshelf website and has been slightly updated from its original November 2019 posting.**

Available for your favorite e-reader