My Review: The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler

Thanks to Roseanna White at Christian Review of Books I had the opportunity to read and review another of Christine Lynxwiler's books. Books of hers I have previously reviewed include Along Came a Cowboy, and Promise Me Always and this is similar to them in that it 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.