My Reasons for LOVING Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne + Giveaway
"Chicken stew, pal. That's all I'm saying to you.
Chicken stew." (40)
Chicken stew." (40)
Title: Home on the RangeSeries: Double S Ranch, Book 2
Publisher: Waterbrook & Multnomah
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
Can the brother left behind and a woman without hope work together for the good of two precious children?
Nick Stafford stayed in central Washington, working his family’s large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions—but his toughest job is being a single dad. As a child he watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick was determined to show him up. He’d be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Despite that commitment, three years after Nick’s wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both of his girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.
For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray’s Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.
Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amid the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based on faith rather than fear?
Nick Stafford stayed in central Washington, working his family’s large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions—but his toughest job is being a single dad. As a child he watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick was determined to show him up. He’d be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Despite that commitment, three years after Nick’s wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both of his girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.
For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray’s Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.
Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amid the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based on faith rather than fear?
I LOVE Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne. That's it. I'm leaving my review at that. OK, maybe not quite so succinct. Let's do a little something different here. Let me list you the reasons I love this book. (Not in any specific order.)
How about we start with a quote? Well, technically, I already did started this post with a quote. And why would I start with that one? Let's just say it was one of the many moments in this book that had my emotions in high alert, even if that emotion is laughter. And that was reason number one.
"Chicken stew, pal. That's all I'm saying to you. Chicken stew." (40)
Reason #2: And that, my friends, takes you to this reason:
"There's an old saying that says laughter is the best medicine. It means that embracing the joys in life is healthier than letting the sorrows drag us down." (43)And there are plenty of laughter to go around.
Reason # 3: The kids, Cheyenne and Dakota (and lets throw in Noah, but he's more the obvious cutie in Book 1, Back in the Saddle). They are adorable and will melt your heart. Plus, don't you just love those names, especially for a western?!Reason #4: The adult characters: Nick, Elsa, Angelina, Isobar, Sam, Colt....etc. Yes. The full range of development for our main couple, Nick and Elsa, as well as the continued development of Angelina, Colt, Sam...etc since Back in the Saddle. And don't you worry, Home on the Range can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to? Back in the Saddle is just as yummy and heart-tugging as Home on the Range, though I must say, my current fave is Home on the Range. I might need to reread Back in the Saddle to be certain. *wink.
#4A: Elsa: I think I broke out in song at least once or twice. "Do you wanna build a snowman?" "Let it go...let it go..." Ahem. Excuse me. Elsa is beautiful, fun and warm. I liked the fact she focused on taking care of the girls' emotions first. She pushed back what she's going through to be there for others. And Ruthy's little suspense in her struggle was spot on - from the character's actions to the reveal.
© Disney Pixar
#4B: Nick. He's thick-headed, stubborn (I guess that means the same), and just plain aggravating at times! But he's quite the yummy hunk, especially with his daughters.
Reason #5: Encouragement. You'll find lots of circumstances and quotes that can resonate with you, even if your journey and experience is not the same as any of the characters in Home on the Range.
Reason #6: That COVER. Just stare at it. That little girl holding onto the cowboy's leg. And after you read the story, and look back at this cover? It's perfect. No words can describe how perfect it is. Kudos to Waterbrook & Multnomah's marketing team.Reason #7: The AUTHOR. Ruth Logan Herne is funny and genuine. Follow her on Seekerville, Facebook or Yankee Belle Cafe Blog. You'll know what I mean. Her books are deep, with such profundity, you wouldn't think it's possible to add in humor or a lightness, but she makes it work seamlessly.
"Sometimes people just need someone to talk to. Someone they're not trying to protect. Someone who'll listen to their complete thought without building instant brick walls of rebuttal" (7)
Reason #8: Sometimes you just need a good book that seems to understand and talk back to you.
Reason #9: The message. You'll need to read it to fully appreciate it.
There goes my 9 reasons, but trust me when I say there could be many many more, for different readers. Home on the Range is about family, love, trust and forgiveness. It's about being broken and about loss and togetherness. It's about learning to lean on our Heavenly Father for strength, guidance and comfort. Filled with drama, as well as light moments, my heart broke with the characters, my smile mirrored theirs, and my tears shed as the story takes us there. I've lived with these characters, and love is not a strong enough word to tell you how highly I think of Home on the Range. I can't wait for Trey's story in Peace in the Valley. Here's my favorite quote from the book:
Don't go anywhere yet. Want to learn more about the Double S Ranch series? Check out my interview with Ruthy after reviewing Back to the Saddle.
Now, don't forget to scroll on down for the giveaway. I got an extra ARC from ACFW Marketplace for purchasing some books. So one of my readers will be able to snag it if your entry is the winning entry!
Now, don't forget to scroll on down for the giveaway. I got an extra ARC from ACFW Marketplace for purchasing some books. So one of my readers will be able to snag it if your entry is the winning entry!
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
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