A fun story of surprises and second chances, Her Oklahoma Cowboy by Brenda Minton is perfect for the contemporary-romance reader in need of a quick read (even without reading the previous books in the series).

A paralyzed veteran, Eve Vincent now spends her life working on a ranch for wounded warriors, safely removed from anyone from her life before—until her ex-fiancé Ethan Forester shows up (and with a lovable baby, too!). Newly named legal guardians of that baby, the pair must face the possibility of a future together and all that entails. Can their love be rekindle, as she learns to deal with the insecurities and doubts leading to a lack of trust?

I enjoyed Her Oklahoma Rancher. Sweet and heartwarming, it didn’t disappoint me.

Her Oklahoma Rancher tells the story of a paraplegic veteran whose life is turned upside down when she learns her friends were killed in an accident and she was named guardian of their infant daughter ... along with her ex-fiancé, Ethan. As they strive to provide a life for baby Tori, they also must confront the hurts of their past and the obstacles standing in the way of a "happily ever after."

While I've read many stories dealing with veterans and the difficulties they can face after returning home, I don't think I've ever read one where the veteran was paraplegic. I really enjoyed learning about Eve and seeing how she dealt with—and overcame—the difficulties life threw at her.

I didn't particularly like the conflict in this book—most of it stemmed from Eve feeling like Ethan was making decisions for her and trying to control her life, when that's exactly what she was doing to him! Consequently, I also didn't really care for the romance. However, that could just be my hangup—some stories and couples will always resonate with certain people more than others, and just because this wasn't my favorite romance doesn't mean it won't be someone else's!

In addition to the main story regarding Eve, Ethan, and Tori, there are also some interesting subplots. This book is part of the Mercy Ranch series, so I expect that some of these minor plots will be continued in other novels.

If you're looking for a sweet romance that's a quick read, this could be just the book for you!

Title: Her Oklahoma Rancher

Author: Brenda Minton

Series: Mercy Ranch

Chapters: 16 Plus Epilogue

Pages: 280

Genre: Christian Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton was like all Love inspired books a quick read for me. I finished it a day. I loved all of the characters in the story. I am a sucker for military heroes in fiction because they are also heroes in real life. Eve Vincent though fictional is not only a female veteran she’s also a wounded warrior. But it's been my experience that there is no such thing as an un wounded military member. They all carry scars and burdens, some are physical some aren't.
What I love about Brenda's Mercy Ranch series is that she shows what happens to our military man and woman after they come home. People like to pretend that that doesn't happen. Brenda tells that side with grace.

The growth that both Eve and Ethan go through show that even though you go through something horrible and heartbreaking beauty, grace and a future can still be found even if it's not the way you pictured it.

I look forward to the next story from Mercy Ranch. Like all Love inspired books there is a happy ending. I would recommend this book to readers who don't mind crying and those that like their romance on the PG side.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Ethan showed Eve that there were still alot of things she could do. He didn't push her as much as he guided her. This book will make you laugh and cry all at the same time.

Thank you netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

This is book three in the Mercy Ranch Series. It is a stand alone book, as this is the first one in the series for me and I had no problem keeping up with what was going on. I did wonder if it was a part of a series and now would like to go back and read the others in this series, I also look forward to reading more from Mercy Falls.

Eve Vincent is a paralyzed veteran who has learned to cope with her "safe" life. Yet when her past (pre-military/accident) comes walking back into her life, she may not be as adjusted as she thinks.

Ethan Forester is looking for answers and help. He must learn to deal with his anger and new life all at once. I love the sparks between Eve and Ethan, even though there were times I wanted to shake some since into Eve.

I look forward to reading more from this series.

Eve is a veteran who got paralyzed while on duty and has made it her mission to be independent. That also meant letting the one she loves go. Now he's back with a baby in tow with news that her best friend died and they left their baby in Ethan and Eve's care. Now they need to learn how to work on the issues they are going to face with Eve fighting for her independence and learning to care for a child with no experience, and as well meaning Ethan is he must learn to no make choices for her now that she's in the chair. With time together comes the rekindling of the love they once had.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting seeing how Eve had to fight to her independence, there was so many around her that cared but really just saw the chair. She worked hard and dropped many out of her life to really make something of herself despite the chair shes still a capable women. She was really tested with how to work things out having a child to care for but as much as she worried she plowed right on through and made sure she can show herself and others that she can do it. As for the romance, I enjoyed it. I kept feeling bad for Ethan I mean the dude has so many well intentions and still kept managing to fall short, making decisions for Eve rather then including her. It was sweet seeing him try though. It was interesting how they handled working together having the baby and alternating and just how everything worked out in the end. Overall this was a cute book I enjoyed it.

Her Oklahoma Rancher is a refreshing read. It isn't often we see women as soldiers in romance novels. It is even less often that the heroine is a wounded soldier.l For this I give extra props to Brenda Milton. The story was very unexpected.



The book involves Eve and her ex-fiance who has come back into her life with a baby in tow. The baby belongs to her now deceased friends who left custody of their child to her and Ethan when they were killed in a car crash.



This is a novel of second chances and of learning how to become and almost instant family. It was a very sweet love story and a quick read for me. Actually to say its a love story is maybe pushing it. Eve and Ethan are really finding their way back to each other in an unconventional fashion. Both of them have been controlled by the other in a way, and neither of them like it. Eve doesn't want to be smothered and have her independence taken from her. She may be in a wheelchair, but she's not helpless. Ethan wanted a say so in their previous engagement that Eve broke off.



I liked how they were willing to work together, even if not as a "couple' to parent Tori. I also loved how Tori really brought them together.



I always love the love inspired line and this book was definitely a winner.

Paralyzed veteran Eve Vincent has found a new life of independence at a ranch that serves wounded soldiers like herself. She left her ex-fiance abruptly, because she didn't want Ethan to feel held back by her disability. But when after the death of their mutual friends, Ethan and Eve find themselves the guardians of a sweet baby girl, Tori. Could this second chance at love turn into forever?



Eve is independent with a stubborn streak, she likes to do things for herself and doesn't want to be treated any differently than before the accident.



Ethan is surprised to see Eve again after she suddenly cut him out of her life without explanation. He never stopped loving her and does everything he can to draw her out and show her that he doesn't see her as anything less since the accident. He is very clever and finds ways to make caring for Tori easier for Eve, and that she can do even more than she thinks. He is thoughtful and has a gentle stubbornness that can stand up to Eve's self-defense tactics.



Overall, a terrific read from beginning to end with characters that you can cheer for all the way. Eve and Ethan have great chemistry, and I loved their interaction and how Ethan shows his love for Eve without smothering her. Great storyline, and heartwarming romance with challenges along the way. Engaging and entertaining, not a book that I wanted to put down!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s not often that a romance appears with a paralyzed character who doesn’t have a miraculous ability to regain the use of his/her limbs. I applaud the author for not taking the easy out here. Eve, the protagonist, broke off her engagement when she was wounded and hasn’t spoken to him since. When she learns that they will share custody of a newly orphaned child, her past comes back to confront her.

The story was enjoyable, if a little annoying at times. I felt like the H (as well as the reader) was hit over the head again and again with the fact that a paralyzed person doesn’t want other people to make decisions for them. After the first few times, I was done with that plot device. Unfortunately it lasted throughout the story. Other than that, the book was good.

Brenda Minton is a talented storyteller. I liked her portrayal of Eve, a “wounded warrior” who has struggled to overcome the pain and despair from the injury that has taken her ability to walk. She’s found a new life at Mercy Ranch. Eve is independent, almost to a fault. She does not want anyone “taking care of her” and for that reason, she’s withdrawn completely from her parents and her ex-fiancé, Ethan. Ethan is still heartbroken from Eve’s breaking their engagement without explanation and disappearing completely from his life. But as they are forced to work together again to care for six month old Tori, they find they must get to know each other again before they can make the right decisions for Tori’s future.

This book has a great storyline; characters that I cared about; and a strong thread of faith about trusting God in all circumstances. It’s a sweet and clean story that made me want to read the rest of this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I always enjoy stories that remind me how much our military invests and continues to give long after they are not in active service. This story was a sweet picture of real people giving in big ways to help others. Through these moments, the characters learn more about themselves, about each other and about learning to love again.

Paralyzed in Afghanistan, Eve Vincent has made a safe life for herself on an Oklahoma ranch for wounded warriors. Training dogs for veterans is her passion. She has good friends, but has cut anyone from her past who might feel pity for her new situation. This includes both her parents, and her fiance, Ethan Forester.

When Ethan tracks her down with a baby in tow, Eve can't believe he moved on so quickly. When she learns that the little girl is the daughter of friends of theirs, that they were killed, and that she and Ethan were named as the baby's legal guardians, Eve is stunned. Her initial reaction is, NO WAY. I just learned how to take care of myself. I can't possibly keep a baby safe. When Ethan places the baby in her arms, she is smitten - terrified, but smitten. When he then proceeds to walk out the door, leaving the little girl in her care, she is furious.

Ethan never understood why Eve called, out of the blue, to cancel their engagement. How could she fall out of love with him so quickly? When he discovers that they are jointly named as guardians for their friends' daughter, he tracks her down, only to get the shock of his life. Her wheelchair is a glaring omission on her part. He's hurt that she didn't trust him to love her in spite of her injury.

Can Ethan find a way to turn Eve's heart back to him? To get through her stubborn refusal to even consider him? Show her that he loves her, whether she can use her legs, or not?

I know Eve had good intentions here, but she really showed a lack of trust in those who should have loved her the most. Ethan's persistence in the face of her obstinance, is nothing short of amazing. Yes, I was pretty much Team Ethan throughout. I enjoyed this story, but I knew I would. Brenda Minton seldom disappoints. If you like the Love Inspired line, you will enjoy Her Oklahoma Rancher.