The Cowboy's Forever Family

Cowboy Country #2

by Deb Kastner

His Best Friend's Baby

Widowed and pregnant, Laney Beckett wants nothing to do with stubborn rodeo cowboy  Slade McKenna. But avoiding her late husband's best friend is nearly impossible now that Slade thinks Laney and her baby need his protection. Though Slade figures he's too rough a man to settle down, his thrill-seeking ways have already cost him his childhood pal. Looking out for the man's wife and child is the least he can do, especially when headstrong Laney doesn't know the first thing about running the family's ranch. For the sake of baby Beckett, Laney and Slade give friendship a chance...but could they become a true family?

Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

Publishers 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.

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book except for Laney's expected baby continually being called Baby Beckett. I mean can't the author say the baby ? The baby was continually referred to as Baby Beckett. I found this very annoying!

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slade blames himself, not only for his best friend Brody's death, but also for his ruined marriage. The two were best friends forever and as close as brothers. When Brody got married, Slade felt left out and pushed for Brody to keep up with the single life style. When he runs into Brody's pregnant, estranged, widow Laney, Slade realizes he has a lot to make up for!

This was another great story by an amazing story teller. Love Deb Kastner's characters. Always so easy to connect with.

[Ranie · Rating 3 out of 5]

very slow, couldn't finish this book, however, I plan to read other books by this author in the very near future... Thank you...

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story about second chances, but I thought that a lot of the issues were resolved too quickly. The ending was too abrupt for me, but it was still good.

[Brooke (i blog 4 books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. I felt like there was a lot of repetition, particularly of the back story. There didn't seem to be a lot actually happening, and then suddenly, the book was over. I constantly had to push myself to read, and even with only two chapters left, I considered not finishing it. [2 stars]

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 52%. And I *pushed hard* to get that far.

I'm sorry. But there are SOOOOOOOO many cowboy's/rancher's/cattleman's forever/enduring/unexpected/miraculous family/baby/home/ranch books out there... you HAVE to do something unusual or amazing to make it worth my while. I picked up THIRTY-FOUR of these 'Love Inspired' western inspirationals, at a thrift shop, and let me tell you - They're. All. The. Same.

C'mon, people. You're proving my eleventh grade English teacher right when she said there was nothing but derision to be had for women who churned out the same thing over and OVER and *OVER* again from a laptop at their breakfast nook. It's not uplifting, it's just tedious and repetitive. At least do it with a fresh perspective or unique angle. But no. More of the same. A.Gain.

Cowboy dies, the best friend steps in, he don't got no way with wommunfolk, he ain't no good at small talk n' the like, he wants the best fer the baby, he'll deal with the maw, if'n he's gotta, but dadgummit, Gawd, why y'all took muh buddy n' left me t'feel like I gots t'do right by the little woman an' her kid?

Rinse. And. Repeat. I'll keep at these suckers, hoping ONE of the authors can bring something imaginative to the pot, but... this *weren't* it. This didn't even try. Neanderthal cowboy meets bookish best friend's baby mama. Pushes her around, and she lets him. Leaves a sour taste, and there's nothing admirable about either of them to make us stick around.

Hard pass, here.

[Lisa Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start of this book the lead characters have made snap judgements about each other based on what they know of each other through their relationships with Brody Beckett. It then comes across that Brody was a bit immature and unable to stand up for his wife to his friend. Laney is very different from what Slade has imagined and not at all the buckle bunny he thought. Laney is a city girl trying to figure out how to live in the country but she has a business degree which will help to run the ranch and eventually Slade falls in love. A little unusual in that the emotions shown are on the male side rather than the female and you really have no idea how Laney feels until the end. Not my favourite story of all time but easy to read and relaxing just no real depth to any of the characters although you get the feeling that Slade is starting to mature and grow up a bit.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Kerstin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF -- Trading insults on the opening pages is not my favorite beginning. Why care about the characters at all? Off to greener pastures...

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. Very enjoyable!!

[Brittany Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very good book. Nice storyline. Wonderful author!

[Dorel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's storyline was okay. This book's storyline was sad 😔. Slade's character was okay. Laney's character was okay. I liked the ending.

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE COWBOY'S FOREVER FAMILY (Cowboy Country)
by Deb Kastner
February 17, 2015

224 pages, approximately
Romance: Western, Inspirational, Best Friend's Guy/Girl

-- SYNOPSIS --
His Best Friend's Baby
Widowed and pregnant, Laney Beckett wants nothing to do with stubborn rodeo cowboy, Slade McKenna. But avoiding her late husband's best friend is nearly impossible now that Slade thinks Laney and her baby need his protection. Though Slade figures he's too rough a man to settle down, his thrill-seeking ways have already cost him his childhood pal. Looking out for the man's wife and child is the least he can do, especially when headstrong Laney doesn't know the first thing about running the family's ranch. For the sake of baby Beckett, Laney and Slade give friendship a chance...but could they become a true family?
Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas.

-- ADD to GOODREADS --
http://bit.ly/1AcvvKu

-- MY THOUGHTS --
Laney returns to town, months after her estranged husband, Brody's, funeral and she is very pregnant. Slade, Brody's best friend, has been helping out on the Beckett family ranch in place of their lost son. Emotions are still raw and he can't help but be suspicious and accusatory towards her, but he's also determined to do all he can for the baby, taking it upon himself almost like his sworn duty. More like, he feels he owes it to baby Beckett out of guilt. She's fiercely independent and headstrong, she initially sees Slade as an adversary or enemy. It takes quite a while for them to see each other for who and what they really are. The characters are likeable. The interaction and dialogue is believable. The plot is good, having enough dynamics to not feel flat. The writing flow is smooth and pleasant. Predictability is where you'd expect it to be, given the feel-good genre. There were a few fun quirks and perks hidden throughout. The conflicts were resolved in a very human manner, meaning it was not perfect, but mature and accepted as is. The conclusion was solid. Overall, it was a nice, quick and clean read.

------------------------
Heat Level: 1
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Score: 3.9
Stars: 4
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-- BUY it NOW for --
$3.79 at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1zDSWvH
$3.99 at BN: http://bit.ly/193ovoV
$3.99 at iTunes: http://bit.ly/1AQyUju
$5.39 at Kobo: http://bit.ly/1CN7QSM

Tina J / Unbound Passion
Reviewing for: Tangled Hearts and Boxer Briefs

[A J Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story of redemption through letting oneself be forgiven.
Have read several of Deb Kastner's books and have found them to be great reading for a hot summer afternoon.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

This is a nice romance. The baby in the cover is way off, but does show the love of the baby in there lives.
Slade and Laney get off to a rocky start. Laney Beckett is pregnant about seven months when they meet again. Her husband brody had died before he knew about the baby.

Slade and Brody were best friends. Slade feels like he was responsible for Brody's death while riding a bull. Slade is a policeman and rides bulls on the weekend. He plans to be there for Brody's baby.

Laney Beckett married Brody fast and did not know a lot about him. She has inherited his family's ranch. She plans to raise her child there as Brody would want.

This is a clean story. I liked the characters. Some drama, action and caring small town life. Both Laney and Slade have to deal with forgiveness of each other and understand each other.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and by Harlequin so I could give a honest review of The Cowboy's Forever Family.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I did not care for the picture on the cover of The Cowboy's Forever Family by Deb Kastner. The baby looks a few months old on the cover. When in the story the baby is born at the end of the book, so he can't be that old anywhere in the story. Other books do this also which gives you the wrong impression. There has to be a lot of "forgiving" in this story. Slade McKenna liked having a good time. His best friend Brody went along with any dare Slade threw at him. They rode bulls at the rodeo. Brody met Laney Beckett and married her. Slade did everything to keep the two apart. Then Slade dares Brody to ride this one bull who was the baddest of bulls. Brody get killed. Laney moves back to Brody's parents house. Slade don't like her. Later they start liking each other. A lot more goes on in the story.

[Marie Stuck In A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney Beckett and Slade McKenna go way back, brought together by a shared tragedy neither can shake. Laney was recently widowed and left pregnant, and Slade McKenna was her husband’s best friend. Slade feels responsible for his friend’s death, and Laney’s current predicament so he takes it upon himself to try and assist her whether she wants it or not.

What starts out as two people trying to cope with their shared grief becomes so much more, and I enjoyed the friends turned into lover story. Slade was very protective of Laney, and he really stepped in to assist her even when she felt like she needed no one. Laney was a broken woman who was able to pull herself together following her husband’s death so she could be there for her baby. It was a joy to watch their feelings develop from legitimate friendship, and I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, sweet read.

[Jess O. (From Jess to You) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"5 out of 5 stars!! In a bull riding accident a man loses his life, afterwards it makes his wife and best friend become friends too as they work to help each other out no matter their differences.

I was surprised with the outright animosity between Slade & Laney (Princess) when this novel began."

Read more of this review and TWO teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2015/01/idolizing-in-cowboy-country-series-book.html (Will be posted on my blog on January 17, 2015)

Find out more about my blog here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/

[Karinosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slade and Brody have been friends since they were kids. Brody has passed and has left a widow and a baby on the way. Slade has taken over with Laney and the baby because he feels somewhat responsible for the fact Brody is no longer alive. Laney can't stand this rugged handsome cowboy. Slade can be overbearing at times. Can they work their differences out? Laney and Slade have some great character qualities. I would have liked some suspense. May if Laney was in danger from those wranglers. Something that would have to wake up slade to moving and going after what he wants! Not a bad read.

I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review! Thank You Net Galley!

[Maggie Hesseling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes from the worst of tragedies come the most wonderful things. Such is the case for Laney and Slade. After Laney's husband (Slade's best friend) dies in a freak rodeo accident leaving her pregnant, Slade steps up to the plate to help out. With things to iron out their relationship becomes a wild ride of their own.

Fun and heartwarming, this solid romance novel is a pleasant read. I especially liked how they manage to heal each other while they're healing themselves. Absolute recommend!

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this sweet book about forgiveness and second chances. Although the grudges Laney and Slade had for each other dissolved rather quickly and their new-found friendship moved rapidly to romance after that, the strength of the characters in the aftermath of grief and mourning is admirable. I especially enjoyed the setting of the ranch.

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

[Kame · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I liked the premise but the plot is very thin

I like "Love Inspired" books but this one did not give me an over flowing feeling of following faith OR any romantic feelings between characters.

Lots of unanswered questions for me - not sure if reading other titles around this town will help

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

[Patty Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was OK. I love a face paced book and this one was not. It was predictable and a little slow. The most enjoyable part of the book was the last couple of chapters. I would recommend this book to my customers that wanted an easy read, that didn't make them think.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and liked the characters.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Cowboy Country

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Cowboy Country

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable