* Many thanks to my dear friend, Cherish, with whom I had the privilege of collaborating for this review. When I say “we”, it means Cherish and me. *

Julie Peterson disembarks the stagecoach and is immediately wrapped in a hug. She is finally home! Home at Rugged Cross Ranch where Emma and “her boys” have a spot waiting for her in their hearts and their lives. 

All the days of her life before, difficult as it was, will not be forgotten. Rather Julie lets it be a testimony of God’s loving hand always guiding her, and it becomes a connection to someone special.

Heritage, circumstance, and Christ have matured Buck Matthews beyond his twenty years. At his first meeting with Julie, he realizes she is extraordinary.

Love and joy surround the family at Rugged Cross Ranch after Julie’s coming. Adventures await with beautiful horse rides, the harvest dance, church meetings, and new friends in town as time passes and lessons are learned. But, when new tragedy strikes, can joy ever return to Julie and her family?

Julie’s Joy, the first book in the Rugged Cross Ranch Series by Jill Dewhurst, is an amazing read! 

It has a sweet, close-knit feel, focusing primarily on two characters. We enjoyed the patience Mrs. Dewhurst exemplified in writing the pure romance of this novel. The story took time to enjoy the details while the characters took time to develop a friendship. 

In fact, the number of little details that are connected in this story is incredible – and reminds me of our God, who orchestrates everything and everyone in His creation according to His good purpose! 

I also enjoyed reading the conversations, which described to me many people and places, rather than having to plow through disconnected, lengthy descriptions.

Connecting details and engaging conversations are two writing elements we definitely want to keep growing in!

The elemental feel of Julie’s Joy is two-fold; small town America and Kiowa (native American) cultures are both showcased amidst the telling. Through Julie, these two blend together in a very interesting way!

The setting and story beckon you invitingly to immerse yourself; still, the characters drew me in.

Julie was joyful, yes. One other characteristic that stood out to me was her thankfulness. Gratitude to the Lord, her family, and friends, flowed from her lips every day. She doesn’t take things for granted.

Emma thought of the match from day one, but she never hinted, teased, or tried to push them together. In sincere, considerate love, she listened, helped, advised, mourned, and rejoiced with all her children. We really appreciated her role!

All of Emma’s boys exemplified Christ-like character and showed great maturity! It was fun and sweet to read the bonds they shared as brothers.

God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, loyalty, help, hope, peace, protection, and kindness can be seen as in a mirror through these characters. As I’ve said before, the flawed-yet-Christ-like characters capture my attention, and these are more of that kind!

Another thing I really enjoyed was reading the heartfelt prayers of all the characters and how swiftly God heard and responded. A true-to-life experience!

The ending sequence is – is there a word for it? – in about fifty pages we are taken from agony to hope to bittersweet joy. We were touched by how the characters handled grief genuinely, facing the sorrow with hope. This book will make you laugh with real joy and cry with real sorrow; it very personal and moving.

Julie’s Joy is not only a book full of joy-building, it is also a journey to find joy in tragedy; to find that her joy rests in the only One who gives it. It you’re looking for it, there is joy in every turn!

The powerful theme of this book was our favorite part; God is our joy! Mrs. Dewhurst wove the theme’s message by exemplifying it in the characters’ relationships. It was fantastic. After all, our calm, residing delight is a relational emotion that comes through our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son!

Hallelu Yah! Adonai, I praise You for Your love, in which You adopt us as sons and daughters, redeem our souls from death, protect us as a shepherd does his sheep, cause Your light to shine in and through us, and give us joy! Thank You, God, for all the joy and blessings You have poured out in love upon me, my family, and all who put their trust in You!

Faith in God and love for family are the core of this story. By the time you finish reading, you are family at Rugged Cross Ranch. You’ve journeyed with them through faith and time, trials and joy, love and pain. You’re along for the journey now. Welcome to Rugged Cross Ranch!