Samantha and the Cowboy (Paperback)

by Lorraine Heath (Author) "With her heart thundering, Samantha Reynolds read the notice that someone had tacked to the wall outside the general store..." (more)
Key Phrases: snipe hunting, riding drag, trail hand, Mary Margaret, Matthew Hart, Baxter Springs (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Samantha

When she manages to get herself hired for the cattle drive, all of Samantha's prayers seem to be answered. The hundred dollars she'll earn will pull her family's Texas farm out of ruin and pay off their debts. But keeping the cowhands fooled that she's a boy becomes harder than she'd expected where one cowboy in particular is concerned.

The Cowboy

Matthew Hart wants two things: to forget the tragedies he witnessed on the front lines of the War Between the States, and to reclaim his cowboy life. The last thing he wants is the responsibility of a tagalong youngster on the cattle drive. His closed mind and hardened heart are territory best left unexplored, until a fateful moment turns his world upside down.

Matt discovers what and who "Sam" really is, and he is furious. But soon a stronger emotion takes hold, and bound by Samantha's secret, Matt is torn between revealing her identity and his own sudden and frightening love for her.

About the Author
When Lorraine Heath received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her create believable characters-characters that are often describedas "real people." Her stories have been recognized with numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America's RITA, a HOLT medallion honoring outstanding literary fiction, and three Texas Gold awards.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (April 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064473414
• ISBN-13: 978-0064473415
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #712,228 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Young Adult romance, May 13, 2002

By	"cowgirlwithagun" (In The South) - See all my reviews

With Avon's eyes set on young teen girls, they are sure to attract some new fans, especially when they have wonderfully talented writers like Lorraine Heath in their court. Ms. Heath knows how to work a story, flesh out characters and bring together the right mix of romance and conflict. With SAMANTHA AND THE COWBOY, young Samantha has to take on the burdensome task of earning some money, but the only job she can find is that of a cattle drive hand - and they only will accept boys. Chopping her hair and shortening her name, Sam gets the job and begins to learn how to drive cattle from fellow rider Matt. You see the usual coming of age insecurities most girls face with their looks, their confusion about their feelings toward a boy and Heath does this remarkably well considering this book is set post-Civil War. I enjoyed this book and think it's quite reasonable young girls pre-16 would enjoy it if they enjoy historicals. And with this one, I'm sure Ms. Heath has just garnered herself new fans that will enjoy her all her books in the years to come.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Romance, May 1, 2002

By	Katie (Annapolis, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Samantha and the Cowboy is an okay book. It may not be the best, but it is good enough. It seems that this is in a sort-of series, with three other books that I know of (Belle and the Beau, Anna and the Duke, and ?Gwyneth and the Thief? (I think)). B and the B is about a runaway slave. A and D is about an english girl in perhaps the 1800's. G and T is set in medievel times.

Samantha is a normal girl. She lives Out West with her family, which consists of an older brother, a younger brother, a younger sister, and a mother. Samantha is sixteen. When she sees an advertisement for cowhands, her life changes. Samantha's family needs the hundred dollar paycheck, but her younger siblings are too young and her older one doesn't want to go. (The story is set in the post-Civil War times, in the western south) Samantha has always wanted an adventure, so she cuts her hair and gets a little 'interview' with the boss. He doesn't want to hire her at first but she ends up on the trail as a cowhand, disguised as a boy. She learns about cattle from Matthew, a handsome, eighteen-year-old cowhand. Gradually, Samantha(under the name of Sam) falls in love with him. There's one big problem. Matt thinks she's a boy. But when he finds out that she is really a girl, can she win back his trust and convince him not to tell anyone her secret?

As I said, it's an okay book, not the best, but still entertaining. Written for young adults(girls), it's a fun read. For those who've already read it, I suggest Seven Daughters and Seven Sons or the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and compelling, May 10, 2002

By	booksforabuck "BooksForABuck.com" (Dallas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Samantha Jane Reynolds knows it's her only chance to help her family survive the brutal years after the American Civil War. Even though it means sacrificing her hair and pretending to be a boy, she determines to join a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas, and Samantha becomes Sam. The hundred dollars pay could get them through the winter. Of course, if anyone finds out she's a girl in disguise, she'll be in serious trouble. Matthew Hart survived the Civil War, but many of the boys he led did not. He swears he'll never make a friend again, take responsibility for another again. Yet there's something sympathetic about the new kid, Sam. Sam can't help falling for the handsome cowboy, but she knows that when he discovers her lie, he'll never forgive her.

Bestselling and RITA winning author Lorraine Heath has written a charming young adult romance. 16-year-old Samantha comes of age and discovers feelings of attraction toward that special boy. Matthew is a convincingly damaged hero, aged beyond his 18 years by his wartime experience, and afraid to develop feelings again. Sam's mixed feelings about being a boy lighten the novel's touch. The adventure of the cattle drive and the dangers that Sam finds herself in, add spice to the sweet sensual tension between the two characters (especially once Matthew discovers Sam's secret).