Title:  The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon
Series:
Author:  Linda Ballou
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  June 30, 2015
Publisher:  Wind Dancer Press
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Gemcie and her Irish Hunter, Marshal, are about to capture the World Cup when a nasty fall dashes their chances. While she is mending, her arch rival seizes this opportunity to catch a ride on Marshal, and to seduce her young husband.

Confused and dazed by her new circumstances, Gemcie heads for the high Sierras hoping the majestic spires that captured the heart of the father she never met will provide the answers she seeks. She finds strength and solace riding solo on the John Muir Trail, but a bear attack ends her time of introspection and places her in the care of a solitary cowboy manning a fire lookout.

Brady, who seems to love animals more than people, shows her love and gives her the courage to get back in the saddle. Haunted by images of Marshal being abused by his owners, Gemcie returns to rescue him and fly high with him once more.

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon.  No true spoilers, promise.

Sometimes life knocks you around and all you can do is hold on, and try to find yourself again.

The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon is such a story.  Gemcie lost everything in one moment.  Her fall would cost her the chance at the World Cup, her marriage and the horse she loves above all else.  The basics of the story can be found in the cover description.  What you won’t find there is the heartache, the recovery and the spirit of this amazing young lady.  This novel is a journey to discovery of what is left after everything you knew falls away.

There is some terminology that the reader may not be familiar with – but please don’t let that aspect of this novel keep you from enjoying the rest.  Perfect for horse lovers, but more for the mature or near adult reader because of the sexual, romantic parts of this story.  I finished this story in one setting.  It engaged me, entertained me and gave me such satisfaction is seeing Gemcie recover not only from her fall, but to fight her way back to finding herself amongst all the emotional pain that kept her trapped for a while.  Life moves on, wrongs can be righted and the heart is always strongest when you think all is lost.

Pick this one up, it will do your heart good.

*I received an e-ARC of The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon is available in paperback or for the Kindle