Big Sky Legacy: Book 1
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
They weren’t looking for love…
But a baby might bring them together
When cowboy Henry Parker suddenly finds himself guardian to his sister’s infant son, he needs help fast. So he turns to his best friend—and ranch owner—Charli Stafford. Charli’s fighting with her mother and sisters against the sale of the Stafford Ranch. And the practical rancher will do anything to save her childhood home—even marry her handsome ranch hand. It seems like the best solution for both of them, but what starts as a marriage of convenience soon becomes more. Could this business arrangement turn them into a forever family?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Montana is the perfect setting for the first book in the Big Sky Legacy series, The Surprise Cowboy Dad by Deb Kastner.
Charli has to fight to keep her family’s ranch, which she inherited with her two estranged sisters upon their dad’s death. She’s also estranged from her mom and was raised by her dad while her sisters lived with their mother in Colorado. They’ve been estranged for twenty years, and she can’t believe her dad put her in this situation and that they’ve come for a visit.
We get to know Charli’s family as well as her love interest and ranch hand, Henry. When Henry’s sister leaves her baby at his house and writes him a letter saying she wants him to raise Levi, he’s all in with Charli’s help. They even make plans to marry to save the ranch and eventually adopt the child. So what if it’s a business arrangement, but is it really?
Emotions run high with all that’s happening. The author does a wonderful job painting vivid descriptions and details of the ranch, the trail ride, and the scenic views. Â I enjoyed watching the couple’s friendship turn into love and respect for others in their lives and family. There is some closure and a happily-ever-after in the offing, but the story ended abruptly.
The Surprise Cowboy Dad is the first book in a series set on a Montana ranch and an inspirational romance that left me wanting more.
Publishers Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 novels and over 2 million books in print, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary romances, romantic comedies and cowboy romances set in small western towns.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, two adorable dogs and two mischievous cats. For her midlife crisis she recently (finally!) adopted a horse, a five-year-old Arabian gelding named Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and three grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, binge-watching television, 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.
