The Last Chance Cowboy

Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Colorado Cowboys #5
Pages: 352
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House
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With danger drawing ever closer, their only hope of saving their futures lies in each other.

As a midwife, Catherine Remington is successful in bringing new life into the world, but she's failed one too many times in finding true love. When she's accused of a murder she didn't commit, she's forced to flee to Colorado to honor a patient's dying wish by delivering a newborn infant to his father.

The repentant prodigal Dylan McQuaid is finally back in Fairplay. As sheriff, he's doing his best to prove to the town he's a changed man and worthy of their trust. When a woman shows up with an infant son he didn't know he had, Dylan is left with only complicated choices on what to do next.

Having grown attached to Dylan's son, Catherine doesn't want to part ways with the infant, but what she doesn't bargain for is how easily she'll fall for the charming sheriff, or how quickly the past will catch up with her and put their love and lives in danger.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

​Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboys series comes to a riveting conclusion with Dylan McQuaid’s story. I’m always on board for a new story from this author. Her characters are colorful, well-drawn, and engaging. 

Set in Fairplay, Colorado, in 1871, this book features Dylan trying to reform his life and become a responsible citizen and person. He is repentant, courageous, and determined. When midwife Catherine Remington brings motherless baby Austin from Chicago to his father Dylan in Colorado, he steps up and wants to do the right thing. Catherine is competent but a little insecure and reserved when it comes to romance. She has also been wrongly accused of two murders, precipitating her flight to Colorado. I enjoyed the interaction between the two characters, their growth, and the change in their relationship.

Plenty of action, intrigue, romance, and inspiration fill the pages of this book. The themes of redemption, repentance, faith and hope bring added depth to the story. I recommend this series to those who enjoy well-written historical fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"We've come to arrest Catherine Remington."

What in the world? Scooping up the infant she had just delivered, midwife Catherine Remington hurriedly packs her bags and slips out the back door of her upper-class Chicago home with enough money to make it to Colorado. Based on the words of the child's dying young mother, she hopes to locate the baby's father and get far, far away from dangerous, false accusations. There's just one little problem. When she meets Dylan McQuaid, her impressions of him are not at all what she expected . . . . apparently, he's turned his life around and wants to marry Catherine, even though he doesn't even remember her. A most unusual proposal, indeed. Could it be the answer to her prayers? Or when Catherine realizes the extent of what they have done, the beginning of her worst nightmare?

"When we do what is right, then we can trust the good Lord for the outcome of His choosing. Might not be exactly what we want, but when we always honor Him, He blesses us for it."

This last chance cowboy could charm a snake out of its skin with all those "darlin's" he tosses around, but what a tender heart! . . . . . filled with a sincere desire to become the man God wants him to be after living a life full of unwise choices. Catherine spins his world off its axis, doesn't she? While they face a myriad of misunderstandings and regret, the end result is something far greater and stronger than they could have managed alone . . . . a first-forever-chance love.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews.

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Reviewer: Karen Baney

​Jody Hedlund grips the reader from the first lines of the story and quickly sets up a believable reason for a young socialite woman who also works as a midwife to flee to Colorado with the child of one of her clients.

I loved how Hedlund brought Catherine’s job as a midwife to life. It was enough detail to give flavor and life to the character without getting bogged down in medical jargon or gross details.

Hedlund masterfully increased the tension between Catherine and Dylan by introducing a wonderful twist (which I won’t spoil for you). The characters’ internal struggle played a huge role in two-thirds of the book, continually building tension and romance. The ending—WOW! You must read it.

I had a hard time putting this book down. A true page-turner.

When I first picked up the book, I didn’t realize it was the fifth book in the series. Even though I hadn’t read the other books, this book stands on its own. The author brought in the relevant details about the characters from earlier in the series. I can’t wait to start from the beginning.

I strongly recommend this book for those who love strong attraction, a Christian message, and (my favorite) a cowboy romance.

Disclaimer: I requested and received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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