3.5 stars. Fans of historical romance that enjoy faith-based novels are sure to enjoy The Cowboy Father. The characters are engaging and likeable with true to life flaws and imperfections. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/02/07/the-cowboy-father/ ( )

Sweet, but Interesting Christian Love Story

Louisa Morgan spent last year in bed recovering, after almost dying from pneumonia. Now, her family, that includes her mother and sisters, is struggling to survive during the depression, after the death of her father. Her desire is to somehow add to the family income, taking care of all her doctor’s bills, but with her still precarious health, there is lettle she can do. The town teacher refers her for a tutoring position. Ellie is a young girl recovering from a fall that broke her leg. Louisa realizes that Ellie has no desire to learn, and is spoiled by her guilt ridden father. Determined to keep the job, Louisa uses all her creativity and God's help to intest Ellie, but not fall in love with Elliot, Ellie's father.

This sweet love story has enough interesting twists and turns to make it above average. If you enjoy Christisn love stories, you should definitely check this one out.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com ( )

During the Depression jobs were scarce, so when Louisa Morgan is offered a job tutoring Ellie Hamilton, who is confined to bed in a body cast while she recovers from a broken leg, Louisa sees it as a way to earn some money to help contribute to her families finances. Besides she can certainly relate to being sick since she had suffered pneumonia twice as well as a bout of influenza.Because of the toll the sickness took on her body she is unable to bear children and has decided that she will never marry.
Emmet Hamilton lost his wife a few years ago and is now a single father to Ellie. When Ellie breaks her leg he moves her to his aunts house in town and decides she needs a tutor. He carries some issues from his past that causes him to believe that he will never fall in love again but when he meets Louisa her wonderful disposition draws him to her. Can he overcome the burdens that he carries from the past to open his heart again?

While it took me several chapters to really become immersed in this story once it did I found myself unable to put it down. I found the characters quite believable and Louisa's positive attitude was wonderful.I really wasn't sure that I was going to like the character of Ellie because she seemed like a spoiled little girl but eventually was won over and actually understood why she acted the way she did. I thought it was so nice that she found a friend in Leila,and actually how things worked out for Leila in the end.

While this story was a bit predictable overall I really enjoyed it. I found it interesting to read about how the depression affected Alberta.Not only did I enjoy watching the relationship develop between Louisa and Emmet but also how Louisa found what her heart longed for.
Fans of inspirational historical romance will surely enjoy reading this story.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The Cowboy Father by Linda Ford
4 STARS
The Cowboy Father follows after The Cowboy Tutor also by Linda Ford.
Each book stands alone but I like seeing the characters from one story in a nother. Each book tells the story of one of the sisters.
In the town of Golden Prairie, Alberta in 1933 they are in the depression and drought times are hard. Louisa Morgan's family is struggling finacelly after the death of her father 4 years ago. Louisa feels bad because a lot of medical bills are from her. Louisa wants to work to help pay them but their is a lot of people out of work. Louisa finds a job for two months tutoring a little girl who broke her leg and is in full body cast.
Emmet Hamilton has moved back home with his aunt when his daughter broke her leg. He is a widower and had hired someone at his ranch to watch
Ellie but she left her alone. Emmet found his daughter with a broken leg after she fell out of a tree. Emmet feels guilty that he could not prevent his
Ellie from being hurt.
Ellie is a 7 year old tomboy and hates being trapped in bed and does not want to do homework. Ellie is spoiled by her father andd knows how to get what she wants most of the time. She does not want to have Louisa tutor her.
Auntie May never had children but when Emmet's parents were killed in an accident she took him and raised him. She has a lot of cats. She is glad that Emmet and Ellie are staying with her while Ellie heals.
Madge is Louisa's younger sister and her story is told in Tutor Cowboy. She is a new bride.
Judd is married to Madge and has bought a farm near his in-laws.
Louisa feels she will never marry because of all her illness she can never have children. She is heart broken over the fact for her dream of having children is strong.
Emmet has problems that he could not protect his parents , his wife from dying. Now he did not prevent Ellie's accident so he does not want to care for anyone else he might fail to protect.
I enjoyed this story. It has some heartbreaks but they learn to trust in God.
This book does have some scriptures and no sex, foul langage and leaves you feeling good and wanting to see is Louisa's youngest sister gets her own story to.
I was lent this book to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
02/07/2012 Pub. Harlequin Love Inspired Historical ( )