Deborah VogtsCritiques

This is a well written, nice, clean, sweet christian romance. In Nook eBook format there are 279 pages to the book.

This was a story that grows on you the further into the story you go. I had a hard time getting to know and appreciate Natalie Adams, the key character in this book. She had her future plans interrupted through the death of her father and just couldn't seem to appreciate all she had in the here and now.

Natalie Adams is a former rodeo queen who thought she had her life figured out and it involved living a life independent of her family's ranch. Then her father suddenly dies and she finds herself back at the ranch taking care of her two half-siblings and trying to run the ranch. Then there is new young pastor in the town, Jared Logan, who gets to know the family through various situations that bring him and the family together. He tries to help them out, but Natalie has a strong independent nature and really doesn't want or appreciate his help much at first. Jared has his own struggles in the story as he questions his life as a clergyman and tries to keep his heart from falling for a girl that doesn't seem interested in the things of the Lord.

There was also the hunt for the hidden money at the ranch, and the appearance of someone they all thought had died. Needless to say, there was always something happening in the story to hold your attention. People are not perfect and this family did have problems understanding one another and getting along. Natalie will grow on you, although it took me awhile to like her. Sometimes our dreams of what we think will make us happy are not really what is best for us and it is a good lesson on being content with wherever God puts you and in whatever situation you find yourself.

As a side note, this is part of the "Seasons of the Tallgrass" series but it can easily be read as a stand alone book. The characters from book one, "Snow Melts in Spring", are briefly in this story, but this book was a whole new story. The real tie to both books is that they both take place in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

*Thanks to Zondervan Publishers for providing a copy for review.*

This heartwarming romance about a rodeo queen drew me in with its depiction of a young woman's struggle to find faith after her world falls apart. Natalie was on her way to seeing her dreams come true, she was in the Miss Rodeo America pageant, she had a good looking boyfriend, and she enjoyed life with her father and younger brother and sister. But then she is the runner up in the pageant, her father dies in a tragic accident, her boyfriend leaves her for another women, and she has to drop out of college to take care of her siblings. Natalie feels overwhelmed as she tries to work the ranch and guide her brother and sister through their shared grief. Then a new friend--a young pastor named Jared--appears in their lives. Natalie strikes up a friendship with him, but her questions about God and the reappearance of people from her past keep her from trusting Jared--or God--with her whole heart. Somehow she has to rediscover her faith before she can learn to trust again, the way she did when she was a little girl.
I enjoyed following Natalie and Jared's journey toward love and faith and I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian romance. The glimpses into the life of a rodeo queen are fascinating, and the author certainly conveys her love for the Kansas Flint HIls in her writing. I also liked the mystery element she included in the form of notes that the father left behind which were clues to where he had hidden his money. Be sure to check out Kansas author Deborah Vogt's first book in the series, Snow Melts in Spring, if you enjoy this one. They are part of a series set in the same area, but they do not need to be read in order.½

Deborah Vogts is a wonderful author and Snow Melts in Spring was her debut novel. I am truly thankful that Deborah allowed me to review this book before I read her second Seasons of the Tallgrass book, Seeds of Summer.

In Snow Melts in Spring, Mattie is vet hired to take care of Dusty, her long time friend's son's horse who was hit by a drunk driver. She is struggling with not allowing her self to become attached to this horse, but then the owner, shows up and she's struggling even more with emotions and feelings! And then there's Gil. The son of her long time friend shows up after being gone for 2 years. He's an ex-NFL player and struggles with so many things! My heart went out to both of them, especially Gil. He wasn't sure what do, but when he learned to fully rely on God and put his heartache and trust in Him, he was so much better! I LOVED the feeling of belonging right along side both of these beautiful characters!

I highly recommend you read this heart capturing book. It was extremely hard to put down and I had it read in 2 days! It is a wonderful 5 star story about forgiveness, belonging and trusting in God's will for your life. I loved this book and the characters that added depth, and I am anxious to start on Seeds of Summer! This is a series written by a wonderfully talented, highly recommended author!

NCLA Review - Mattie Evans, a young veterinarian in rural Kansas, saves an injured horse. At the same time she finds herself treating the wounded relationship between a prodigal son and his ill father. Rancher John McCray has become a father figure to Mattie. So, when John’s estranged son, Gil, returns with plans to sell the ranch and move his father to California, Mattie becomes enmeshed in the family drama. As layers of secrets are revealed and old guilt resurfaces, Mattie struggles to understand Gil’s past and wonders how she fits into his future. Love, conflict, forgiveness, and renewal abound in this first book of the Seasons of Tallgrass series. Deborah Vogt has written a compelling debut novel. Rating: 3 —MF

This was one of those books I couldn't put down until I read the whole book! I came to know and love the characters in this story. And living in Kansas I loved that it was about the Flint Hills of Kansas. Mattie Evans grew up in the Flint Hills and is now a young veterinarian, struggling to gain the trust of the local ranchers. John McCray is the owner of the Lightning M Ranch and helping her in her quest to be a veterinarian in the community. Gil McCray is John's estranged son; a pro football player living in California. The story starts out with Gil's horse badly hurt when a car hits the horse. Mattie is called in to assess the damage. She thinks the horse should probably be put down, but John asks her to do her best to save him. This news reaches Gil and he ends up flying home. From there Gil and his father must learn to love and forgive each other, and Mattie helps both men heal deep hurts. Much more to the story, but you need to read it and see for yourself.½

Outstanding debut novel... I am really looking forward to Seeds of Summer next spring. All of the elements of a Romance Novel are covered with the skill of an experienced writer. The Kansas Flint Hills characters are very real; expertly portrayed. I did oral histories with a number of folks just like John McCray a few years ago.... This portrayal is "right on." The emotions are correct, the physical attributes are described accurately. Using the character Jake to talk to Gil to get at the final twist was an astute move by the author. The Christian elements were nicely integrated at just the right times, throughout the book. Congratulations to a fine first novelist! ;-)

Good romance with horses and starring a former quarterback from the NFL. Need I say more? Just kidding. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it. It had a good forgiveness theme and the romance was enjoyable.

Mattie Evans is a vet in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Though her family lost their land she still calls it home. Nothing can make her leave the Flint Hills or can it? Gill McCray grew up in the Flint Hills but difficult memories caused him to leave and become a quarterback for the 49ers. Nothing will make him return to Flint Hill, or is there? When Gil's horse, Dusty, is hit by a drunk driver, Mattie is called to help. She recommends the horse be put down but John McCray (Gil's estranged father) encourages Mattie to do everything she can to save the horse. When Gil returns home for a weekend visit to check on the horse he meets Mattie and sparks fly.

I loved this story and not because I'm a fellow Kansan. But because the story was filled will real people that could easily be living in the Flint Hills right now. Deborah's writing style makes you want to keep turning pages. The story is packed with lots of character interaction which I love. She also allows you to see inside each character's thoughts which is always intriguing to me. This is Deborah's debut novel but it reads like a seasoned author. This comes highly recommended. Can't wait for 'Seeds of Summer'. Great job Deborah!!!½