Monday, December 1, 2014

A Cowboy for Christmas by Lacy Williams




Redemption Ranch 

After an accident leaves her injured, Daisy Richards stays secluded at her family's Wyoming ranch to avoid the town's gawking stares. Yet handsome cowboy newcomer Ricky White insists she can do anything she dreams—ride a horse, decorate a Christmas tree…even steal a man's heart. 

Once a reckless cad, Ricky is to blame for what happened to Daisy. Now reformed, he wants to make amends by setting things right for his boss's beautiful daughter in time for the holidays. But Daisy doesn't know Ricky's responsible for her predicament. When the truth is revealed, will he lose the greatest gift he's ever received—her trust? 
Wyoming Legacy: United by family, destined for love

Published & Release Date: Love Inspired Historicals, December 1, 2014

Time and setting: Wyoming 1900

Genre: Western Historical Romance/Christmas/Inspirational

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Reviewed by Vikki

I received this wonderful book from NetGalley for an honest review. I always enjoy inspirational Christmas stories and looked forward to reading this one with great anticipation. I must say I was not disappointed. The story line is different than most. It is not often that a heroine has a disability; I do not believe I have ever read one where she is missing a limb. Now, I have read plenty of books where the hero is quite disfigured and even missing a limb, but never a heroine.

Daisy Richards barely escapes from a horrific accident when a drunken cowboy stumbles in front of her wagon, startling her horses. They rear up causing it to tip over, trapping her underneath, and the attached lantern is smashed, then catches the wagon on fire. While the young cowboy pulls her out of the fire, her right arm is so damaged that it is amputated. Her life is changed forevermore.

Ricky White is the young cowboy who causes the accident. Daisy’s father hires him so he can help Daisy cope with her new reality. For months after the accident, Daisy remains a shut in, not going into town for any reason, not even church. Her first social gathering is her father’s wedding, which finally brings Ricky in contact with her.

A budding friendship forms as he comes up with inventive ways to help her learn to live with her disability. Daisy fights him all the way, but Ricky does not give up. He is determined to lead her back into the light. While he never expects to fall in love with the beautiful young woman as he helps her, his growing attraction takes firm root.

When Daisy is forced to learn to work around the loss of her arm, Ricky is right beside her guiding her and helping her overcome her difficulties. Will their budding friendship grow into love, or will his terrible secrets kill any affection Daisy has for the young cowboy?

Daisy really does not deal well with her infirmity. In fact, she suffers from a lot of self-pity, but who could blame her? It would be bad enough to lose an arm, but for it to be her right arm makes it that much worse. I am not sure I would be able to just pick myself up by my bootstraps and move on without feeling quite a bit of depression over it. While it is extremely difficult for her, she does eventually dig her heels in and accepts the help Ricky offers.

Ricky is a troubled young man. He has tremendous guilt eating at him over something that happened as a young boy, on top of the fact that he is the cause of Daisy’s predicament. He is my most favorite kind of hero, a tortured soul. Fortunately for Ricky, his friend shows him the light of the Lord’s forgiveness, helping his to move past most of his guilt, teaching him to atone for his past.

This is a riveting story from the first page to the last. I could feel Daisy’s pain, experienced her struggles as she learns to cope with her loss. I felt Ricky’s guilt and despair as he learns to accept Christ into his life and deal with his feelings of unworthiness. This book is in no way preachy. The element of faith is handled with a masterful touch, adding to the story, making it a richer reading experience.


If you enjoy a book that will pull at your heart strings, that has you rooting for both characters as they travel their difficult path, then this is a tale you will want to read. It is a story of redemption and triumph, a story of love filled with plenty of tender moments. I highly recommend this engaging book. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I am sure you will as well. Happy reading! 

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