Rodeo Regrets

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Natalie Wentworth's past is about to catch up with her

Natalie once dreamed of finding true love. Then Lane Gray broke her heart. After running wild to fill the emptiness inside her, she heads back to her hometown to heal. But when she sees the cowboy she once loved so much, she finds him hard to resist.

Lane Gray is a changed man. The handsome cowboy wants Natalie's forgiveness—and more. Natalie has made plenty of mistakes in her life, but so has Lane. Could falling for each other again be the worst one yet? Or the path to redemption?

Genres: Fiction, Western Romance

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife/award winning author. She lives in rural central Arkansas in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows. Shannon writes inspirational contemporary romance and it took her nine years to get published in the traditional market.
Shannon hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as her characters struggle with real-life issues. Their journeys, from ordinary lives to extraordinary romance through Christ-centered relationships, demonstrate that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and doing craft projects. Ask questions or discuss my books: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Facebook: http://facebook.com/shannontaylorvann...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stvannatter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stvauthor

Reviews

[Natasha Carmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I almost didn't add this book here, because it was the first book I have rage quit and not been able to pick back up and give a second chance. Ironic, since supposedly this is a story about second chances and redemption. Even more ironic, I rage quit at the exact moment Natalie's father (also ironically) makes a snarky comment about her joining some cult, which it can be argued she did, she joined the local church and magically everything that made everyone treat her like walking garbage is forgiven! Insert trumpets and sunshine here. Honestly the only true second chance I see is that the 'hero' is given a second chance to manipulate and pressure Natalie into doing something that she doesn't want to do. Of course once she does it and everyone showers her with long withheld affection and acceptance she THINKS she wanted to, cults employ similar psychological tactics, including (spoiler alert) denying access to a child (granted she had given the child up and should not have had any expectation but if these are truly morally superior people and the entire rest of her family is involved in the child's life they should be a little more, I don't know, gracious...instead of feeling justified in being horrible people because since they're members of the spiritual book club their awful deeds are OK and forgiven/able)

On a technical level, the writing is good. The pacing is great, and while it made my eye twinge and reinforced every negative experience I have had with the extra devout (born agains in particular), the characters interactions are well thought out. Just not in a way that works for me. If you're one of the indoctrinated, it is a quick read I'm sure you'll enjoy, the author wrote it with a specific audience in mind and I doubt that audience included people looking to explore things outside their own norms.

Lessons learned, I'll steer (pun intended) clear from works in this sub-cat, but Rodeo Regrets left me with reader regrets.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a touching story. It’s a story of love, forgiveness and redemption. It reminds me of all the hurting people in the world that have no hope. But it also reminds me of the Hope we have as Christians.

To the world around her, Natalie appears to be having the time of her life. Only she knows it is not true. She is haunted by mistakes and choices that she made in the past, and can’t seem to move forward.

I love Natalie. She reminds me of high school girls that I have known. They want to be loved, but they go about it the wrong way and end up making a horrible mess of their lives. I think that’s why this story touches me so deeply. It is so real and therefore all the more heartrending. Will Natalie find the strength she needs to turn her life around?

Lane is one of the good guys. Actually, he’s almost too good to be true. That is, if you don’t know the love he has in his heart. What will it take for Natalie to see how much he cares?

Rodeo Regrets is a romance for our times.

[Barbara Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rodeo Regrets is a wonderful book that I enjoyed from the beginning to the end. From the first chapter, the author had my attention and curiosity to keep turning the pages. As I read a romance book, usually I can tell what will happen next, but not in reading Rodeo Regrets. The storyline was interesting throughout the book. The author has written an easy to read, clean Christian romance that shows forgiveness in many ways. I love reading Rodeo Regrets and highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to reading another book by Shannon Taylor Vannatter.

Disclaimer: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my own opinion, and no money compensation was received for this review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about Natalie? I never expected this one, though I should have, because life is about second chances. She was a secondary character, not exactly loveable when I first met her, but learning of her life through Rodeo Regrets, I hold her in high esteem. Shannon is a great author, with the ability to bring across a strong story with few words, and to teach us again that with God all things are possible, even to come to terms with our past, that forgiveness is ours if we but ask, though we all know that forgiving ourselves is harder than forgiving others. This story is an outstanding addition to the collection.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon really knows how to go deep and emotional with her stories. I loved this one. Natalie was such an unlikable character in the other books. But it didn't take long at all to find myself rooting for her. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend the whole 'clean slate' when it comes to the past and God's forgiveness! Looking forward to more of these great rodeo stories!

[Madonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rodeo Regrets is a fun and interesting inspirational love story about a birth mother wanting to connect with her child and finding love on the way. Great for a relaxing summer read!