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Cowboy Country #1
Yuletide Baby
A Christmas Surprise
Shawn O'Riley is shocked to find a baby girl abandoned at his church on Christmas Eve. He's a pastor and a cowboy—not a daddy! Haunted by family tragedy, he's not sure he can risk his heart to baby Noelle—or to anyone else. But he needs help. Experienced foster mom Heather Lewis was anticipating a quiet holiday. When Shawn pops up at her door, she's happy to show him the ropes of baby care—but isn't prepared for the way he melts the walls around her heart. Can Shawn and Heather give each other the best Christmas gift of all—family and love?
Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas
Shawn O'Riley is shocked to find a baby girl abandoned at his church on Christmas Eve. He's a pastor and a cowboy—not a daddy! Haunted by family tragedy, he's not sure he can risk his heart to baby Noelle—or to anyone else. But he needs help. Experienced foster mom Heather Lewis was anticipating a quiet holiday. When Shawn pops up at her door, she's happy to show him the ropes of baby care—but isn't prepared for the way he melts the walls around her heart. Can Shawn and Heather give each other the best Christmas gift of all—family and love?
Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
24 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
About the author
Deb Kastner
112 books146 followersPublishers Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 novels and two million books in print, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational and sweet western stories set in small communities, often including animals as major secondary characters.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 17, 2014
Cover cuteness factor of 110! I just couldn't resist. And hello -- cowboy hero, abandoned baby and small town rallying around to help. Seriously, how could a reader go wrong? There were Shawn/Baby Noelle scenes that melted me into a pile of goo. In fact, I didn't fully solidify again until I reached the end. Blissful sigh.
Even Heather (who is determined to guard her heart at any cost) couldn't resist that O'Riley charm and that's very disconcerting because he is the last man on earth she should feel comfortable around. Having survived a horrific past, she is determined to make it on her own. Shawn hasn't had an easy time of it either. Kastner slowly reveals both their pasts in tantalizing snippets throughout the story. I was about jumping out of my skin to put all the pieces together.
The author does an exceptional job of developing a complicated plot to a surprising conclusion. Love it when you can say "Whoa, I didn't see that coming!" An awesome Christmas read full of heart and spirit.
Even Heather (who is determined to guard her heart at any cost) couldn't resist that O'Riley charm and that's very disconcerting because he is the last man on earth she should feel comfortable around. Having survived a horrific past, she is determined to make it on her own. Shawn hasn't had an easy time of it either. Kastner slowly reveals both their pasts in tantalizing snippets throughout the story. I was about jumping out of my skin to put all the pieces together.
The author does an exceptional job of developing a complicated plot to a surprising conclusion. Love it when you can say "Whoa, I didn't see that coming!" An awesome Christmas read full of heart and spirit.
February 24, 2021
Very nice story about a baby left in a church nativity scene and raised by the young, single pastor and most of the town folks. Its a simple straight forward story with two love stories, one for the child and one for the woman who helps to raise the child. Both the pastor and the young woman have secrets that they feel make them unfit to be parents but love overcomes past hurt, guilt, and sorrows to prove it only takes love for this child to make them a family.
September 7, 2015
Again, an epilogue seemed to complete the story.
April 11, 2020
sweet story. Both main characters are very likable but both have very sad histories. I would read it again and I do recommend it
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October 30, 2018Pastor Shawn O'Riley was locking up the church on Christmas Eve when he noticed movement in the manger. He found a baby there. He called one of his church members for help. She showed up and suggested calling another woman in town who was a foster parent, Heather Lewis. Heather had come back to her childhood home after her alcoholic husband had been put in jail. He had been convicted of manslaughter after killing two children and their mother in a accident when he was drunk. Heather had been afraid to have children because she was afraid to bring a child up under the abuse she tolerated. Her husband had been a church deacon and everyone thought he was a good guy. They didn't know what it was like to live with him. Because of him, Heather had turned away from church. She didn't trust people who attended church anymore but because of the children dying in her husband's accident, she was determined to be there should any child need her.
Shawn called Heather the next day because he was exhausted and couldn't get Noelle to go to sleep. He thought he was doing something wrong. Heather told him to come over for Christmas dinner and let him take a nap while she watched the baby. The police had found a note when they searched the manger at the church that said the baby's name was Noelle.
Shawn began calling Heather almost daily to ask her questions because he soon found out how little he knew about children. They went into San Antonio together to see about finding foster parents for Noelle and Shawn ended up as foster parent to Noelle. He didn't want her ending up in a home.
For the next few weeks Heather and the kids went over to Shawn's ranch quite often to help and check on his animals. Heather realized that he was a good role model for her three foster children and they had a good time while they were there. Shawn had kittens and baby piglets. One of them needed special care. It was the runt and needed to be fed. 7 yr old Missy was happy to help out.
They were at Shawn's one afternoon when he reached out to help Heather get up after she tripped. She quickly backed away from Shawn and she knew he deserved an explanation. She told him about the abuse she had suffered from her alcoholic husband and about him being in prison for killing 3 people while driving drunk. She told him that she blamed herself because she couldn't stop him from leaving the house that day and getting behind the wheel. Shawn knew that she couldn't have stopped him and told her so.
Shawn was going to tell her something himself but never got the chance because his father showed up drunk. He tried to keep Heather from seeing his father but couldn't. His brother's name was brought up but Heather didn't know who David was when his name was mentioned. She suspected that it was Shawn's brother but she didn't know for sure. David was dead but she didn't know what had happened to him or how his mother had died. After both of their deaths, Shawn's father had begun drinking and had yet to stop. Shawn was trying to get him into rehab.
It was a few weeks later that Missy and Jacob were jumping on Heather's bed after being told not to. Missy fell and hit her head. It was bleeding badly as head wounds do. Heather called Shawn to ask for help and he drove her and the kids to town to see the doctor. Missy got a butterfly bandage and some glue on the wound to close it up. Something was bothering Shawn and he was doing his best to stay away from Heather. They took the kids to the local diner and Jo watched the kids while Heather went to talk to Shawn to see if she could find out what was bothering him.
She went to the church to talk to him and he told her that Noelle's mother had been found. She had been hit by a vehicle after dropping off Noelle at the church and she wasn't expected to live. Shawn was worried about being responsible for someone's life. He told Heather how he and David had been at the beach when they went to get something out of their car. He had thrown the keys inside and David had climbed in and locked the car. He died in the heat while Shawn tried to get him out. David had been 6 and Shawn was 8. He still blamed himself for David's death. Heather told him that he was too young to have been able to help and the death wasn't his fault. Heather told him that he needed to get past the event and move forward. She told him that he was a good man who spent most of his time giving to people and he would make a great father. She then kissed him. Shawn responded to the kiss and knew that he was falling for Heather but he was afraid of pushing her too far due to her fear of men.
Shawn wanted to call her over the next few days but didn't. Heather also wanted to call him but was afraid that she had been to forward with him. She was grocery shopping with the kids and saw her ex out her rearview mirror. She called the police but Adrian was gone before they arrived. She wanted to go home but decided to stop by and see Shawn first. They talked for a few minutes and she told him what was going on. Shawn asked her to marry him but she didn't take him seriously. She knew that she was in love with him but didn't want to marry him for convenience. He hadn't told her that he loved her so she didn't know.
Shawn wanted Heather and the kids to stay with him but she told him that she wanted to take a stand for herself. If Adrian showed up again, he wouldn't see the same scared woman she once was.
She took the kids home and put them to bed. It wasn't too much longer before Adrain showed up and began knocking on her back window. She went upstairs and gave her phone to 9 yr old Jacob and asked him to call for help if things got too loud. She went outside to talk to Adrian. She didn't know that Jacob was scared enough to call Shawn.
Heather stood up for herself but Adrian was very angry. He made threats to Heather and told her that she would never get away from him. He made an attempt to hit her but before he did, Shawn showed up and ordered him to stop. He raised his fist and Shawn hit knocked him out. The police were slow getting there but then showed up and arrested Adrian. He had violated his probation and an order of protection. He was going back to prison.
Shawn and Heather talked and he restated that he wanted to marry her. She told him that she was in love with him and couldn't marry someone who didn't love her. He apologized for not telling her and then told her that he had been in love with her for a while but didn't say anything because he didn't want to scare her off. He apologized for not saying the words. Then he kissed her and she agreed to marry him.
It was 6 months later that they married. Heather had started attending church again and had made friends in town. Shawn's father had gone into rehab so he could be welcome around their children. Heather had adopted the three foster children she was raising. Noelle's mother was recovering and agreed to an open adoption for Noelle. Heather and Shawn were her father but her birth mother could see her as often as she was able. The planned on having children of their own but were happy with the children they had for now. It was Christmas again. So many changes had come about had during that year.
Shawn called Heather the next day because he was exhausted and couldn't get Noelle to go to sleep. He thought he was doing something wrong. Heather told him to come over for Christmas dinner and let him take a nap while she watched the baby. The police had found a note when they searched the manger at the church that said the baby's name was Noelle.
Shawn began calling Heather almost daily to ask her questions because he soon found out how little he knew about children. They went into San Antonio together to see about finding foster parents for Noelle and Shawn ended up as foster parent to Noelle. He didn't want her ending up in a home.
For the next few weeks Heather and the kids went over to Shawn's ranch quite often to help and check on his animals. Heather realized that he was a good role model for her three foster children and they had a good time while they were there. Shawn had kittens and baby piglets. One of them needed special care. It was the runt and needed to be fed. 7 yr old Missy was happy to help out.
They were at Shawn's one afternoon when he reached out to help Heather get up after she tripped. She quickly backed away from Shawn and she knew he deserved an explanation. She told him about the abuse she had suffered from her alcoholic husband and about him being in prison for killing 3 people while driving drunk. She told him that she blamed herself because she couldn't stop him from leaving the house that day and getting behind the wheel. Shawn knew that she couldn't have stopped him and told her so.
Shawn was going to tell her something himself but never got the chance because his father showed up drunk. He tried to keep Heather from seeing his father but couldn't. His brother's name was brought up but Heather didn't know who David was when his name was mentioned. She suspected that it was Shawn's brother but she didn't know for sure. David was dead but she didn't know what had happened to him or how his mother had died. After both of their deaths, Shawn's father had begun drinking and had yet to stop. Shawn was trying to get him into rehab.
It was a few weeks later that Missy and Jacob were jumping on Heather's bed after being told not to. Missy fell and hit her head. It was bleeding badly as head wounds do. Heather called Shawn to ask for help and he drove her and the kids to town to see the doctor. Missy got a butterfly bandage and some glue on the wound to close it up. Something was bothering Shawn and he was doing his best to stay away from Heather. They took the kids to the local diner and Jo watched the kids while Heather went to talk to Shawn to see if she could find out what was bothering him.
She went to the church to talk to him and he told her that Noelle's mother had been found. She had been hit by a vehicle after dropping off Noelle at the church and she wasn't expected to live. Shawn was worried about being responsible for someone's life. He told Heather how he and David had been at the beach when they went to get something out of their car. He had thrown the keys inside and David had climbed in and locked the car. He died in the heat while Shawn tried to get him out. David had been 6 and Shawn was 8. He still blamed himself for David's death. Heather told him that he was too young to have been able to help and the death wasn't his fault. Heather told him that he needed to get past the event and move forward. She told him that he was a good man who spent most of his time giving to people and he would make a great father. She then kissed him. Shawn responded to the kiss and knew that he was falling for Heather but he was afraid of pushing her too far due to her fear of men.
Shawn wanted to call her over the next few days but didn't. Heather also wanted to call him but was afraid that she had been to forward with him. She was grocery shopping with the kids and saw her ex out her rearview mirror. She called the police but Adrian was gone before they arrived. She wanted to go home but decided to stop by and see Shawn first. They talked for a few minutes and she told him what was going on. Shawn asked her to marry him but she didn't take him seriously. She knew that she was in love with him but didn't want to marry him for convenience. He hadn't told her that he loved her so she didn't know.
Shawn wanted Heather and the kids to stay with him but she told him that she wanted to take a stand for herself. If Adrian showed up again, he wouldn't see the same scared woman she once was.
She took the kids home and put them to bed. It wasn't too much longer before Adrain showed up and began knocking on her back window. She went upstairs and gave her phone to 9 yr old Jacob and asked him to call for help if things got too loud. She went outside to talk to Adrian. She didn't know that Jacob was scared enough to call Shawn.
Heather stood up for herself but Adrian was very angry. He made threats to Heather and told her that she would never get away from him. He made an attempt to hit her but before he did, Shawn showed up and ordered him to stop. He raised his fist and Shawn hit knocked him out. The police were slow getting there but then showed up and arrested Adrian. He had violated his probation and an order of protection. He was going back to prison.
Shawn and Heather talked and he restated that he wanted to marry her. She told him that she was in love with him and couldn't marry someone who didn't love her. He apologized for not telling her and then told her that he had been in love with her for a while but didn't say anything because he didn't want to scare her off. He apologized for not saying the words. Then he kissed her and she agreed to marry him.
It was 6 months later that they married. Heather had started attending church again and had made friends in town. Shawn's father had gone into rehab so he could be welcome around their children. Heather had adopted the three foster children she was raising. Noelle's mother was recovering and agreed to an open adoption for Noelle. Heather and Shawn were her father but her birth mother could see her as often as she was able. The planned on having children of their own but were happy with the children they had for now. It was Christmas again. So many changes had come about had during that year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book by about a single pastor, Shawn O’Riley. The last thing Shawn was looking for after their Christmas program was a newborn he found in the manager. Not knowing what else to do he contacted one of his members in the church. After finding out that the baby Noelle would be turned over to the state, Shawn decides to become a foster dad. Heather Lewis is a foster mom of three. Shawn starts seeking information about taking care of Noelle from Heather. After spending time with each other will they be able to find family and love?
June 30, 2018
Love it
I love how this book has a beautiful love story of two broken people who come together with God's help to find love and healing from there past. I love Jesus love stories. There good clean fun!!!
I love how this book has a beautiful love story of two broken people who come together with God's help to find love and healing from there past. I love Jesus love stories. There good clean fun!!!
December 14, 2025
why was heather's sister's name havannah????? genuinely can't get over than
the inaccuracies of the foster care system kinda pulled me out of the story bit i see how they were necessary for the plot to make sense
the inaccuracies of the foster care system kinda pulled me out of the story bit i see how they were necessary for the plot to make sense
January 23, 2019
Really good book! Sweet story with a little drama mixed in. And of course a happy ending.
September 9, 2024
Beautiful story! The flow was great, not too fast or too slow. It was really well put together and kept me on the edge of my seat constantly.
October 20, 2025
Good fast read
December 5, 2014
Yuletide Baby by Deb Kastner was a WONDERFUL book. Shawn O'Riley is a cowboy who owns a ranch and he's a pastor in a small town. A Christmas Eve a baby is left at the church. Shawn finds baby Noelle. He vows to take care of Noelle until the mother is found. Shawn knows nothing about raising a child. Shawn loves the baby right from the start. Heather Lewis helps Shawn with basic stuff. Heather has her own past she is dealing with. Heather is a foster mother to three children. When her ex gets out of prison and comes after Heather, Shawn is there to help her. This is a very good story.
November 8, 2015
Good Book Again!
Of course l would've been surprised, if l didn't give this 5 stars. I have read almost all of Ms. Kaster's books. They are AII good! This book balance the children in the book, with the romance part. If l had to say anything that l wish for more Christian in the book. Seeing that the hero was a pastor,but well still good.
Of course l would've been surprised, if l didn't give this 5 stars. I have read almost all of Ms. Kaster's books. They are AII good! This book balance the children in the book, with the romance part. If l had to say anything that l wish for more Christian in the book. Seeing that the hero was a pastor,but well still good.
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January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Cowboy Country
Miniseries: Cowboy Country
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Cowboy Country
Miniseries: Cowboy Country
January 18, 2015
Love Christmas books
June 28, 2016
great story about not letting your past restrict your present n cute kids as a bonus
December 10, 2015
A beautiful story about the power of love. Perfect for the Christmas season.
December 20, 2023
Really good! Sweet ending
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews