Unexpected Disasters

A SweetHart's Cafe Romance #8

by Betsy Love

Natalie never wanted another relationship, especially since her last one…
After the devastating loss of her premature baby and haunted by the effects of PTSD, Natalie Edwards escapes to Miracle, Texas, seeking solace, not romance.

But God has other plans.

A string of quirky mishaps throws her into the path of Jericho Redford—a happy-go-lucky paramedic who’s as skilled at saving lives as he is at wrangling cattle on his grandpa’s ranch.

Their connection is undeniable, fueled by Natalie’s sharp wit and Jericho’s simple charm. Yet, as their bond deepens, Natalie must confront the fear that’s held her heart captive. Can Jericho’s steady presence help her find the courage to heal? And will she let herself believe in the possibility of love again?

In Miracle, Texas, second chances bloom in the most unlikely soil. Could their worst moments pave the way for a love that feels like a true miracle?

Welcome to Miracle, Texas, where the road to happily ever after is anything but easy.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

First and foremost I am a daughter of God. I am married to my teenage crush. I have 8 great children, and 20 amazing grandchildren. Writing has been a passion since I could hold a pen in my hand. I don't intend to stop until I can no longer hold one.

I hope heaven is everything I hope it will be. I planning on spending eternity honing my craft.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartwarming love story for Natalie and Jericho in Miracle, Texas. I loved it, and it was nonstop action from beginning to end and hard to put down. Natalie fled from Houston, Texas pregnant with her abusive exhusband's baby. His last abuse was throwing her down a flight of stairs. Shortly after she arrived in Miracle, she went into labor two months early. Her son, Tyler, only lived a couple of days. She had him buried in the cemetery by the only church on Miracle and would visit his grave every day. She didn't believe in God until she met an elderly man,Calvin, who visited his wife's grave every day and he befriended her. He gave her his wife's Bible and made her promise to read it every day for ten minutes. Then he invited her to attend church with him. Jericho was his grandson but she didn't know that even though she had met Jericho before that. Every time they had met, they would have a minor disaster like Jericho bumping her soda over and getting it all over Natalie. Then he accidentally bumped into her on her bicycle and messed the wheel up. When Natalie's exhusband, Michael, tracked her down Calvin and Jericho did their best to protect her. Did they succeed or did Michael win? You will have to read the book to find out. I highly recommend this book as an inspirational romantic suspense with wonderful characters. This is my voluntary and honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Disasters starts out as a comical scene when a girl catchers a cowboy’s eye and from then it sets off a string of disasters from spilling soda all over her till he hits her on the bike and messes up her tire.  From then on he feels he needs to protect her, he just don’t know how much she will need him.  Her life has been a marriage filled with abuse and when she finally gets away she ends up losing her baby boy due to this abuse.  She buries her baby in a cemetery in Miracle, TX.   She gets an apartment close by and a job with the newspaper working from home.  Jericho and Natalie see each other again and talk over a quick lunch she made.  When things seem to be going better for her a knock on her door brings the abuse back home to her.  When he hurts her really bad and 9-1-1 comes, Jericho sees who is standing there and knows Michael has come back to take Natalie away.  Jericho, his Granddad, and his Mom all work together to protect Natalie.  But Jericho has to make the final decision to save her life.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Love delves into the sensitive topic of domestic abuse in her newest novel, relating the short- and long-term effects this can have on the victims.
The small Texas town of Miracle, the venue of most of this author’s books, continues to work its magic in healing Natalie, a new resident who escaped an abusive husband in Houston and who is looking for safety and security. Her disastrous introduction to, and subsequent interaction with, local ‘cowboy’ Jericho, and her unexpected friendship with Calvin, an elderly rancher, form the nucleus of this captivating story.
The book is aptly titled as Natalie seems to lurch from one crisis to the next, and the reader is kept fully involved in the eventual outcome. I have been fully involved with this book that the author shared with me.

[Jen Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me at the beginning, when one thing after another after another kept going wrong in such funny ways. Had me laughing out loud.

It’s a sweet story between Natalie, who has stayed in town because that’s where she was when tragedy overtook her, and Jericho, who’s tied up with family issues and expectations. Oh, and Natalie’s abusive ex is still after her. The banter and tension are good, the laughs settle down some but are still funny, and Jericho’s grandfather almost steals the show.

I should note that I thought Unexpected Disasters was part of one of the author’s other series and the faith element surprised me. But in a good way, and when I was done, I looked at the series and it fits perfectly.

4.5 stars, and Recommended.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but better if read in order. Some characters overlap. This is one of Betty's heavier books. A paramedic trying to find the wife God wants for him not just who everyone else thinks is the right one. A very traumatized domestic violence survivor struggling to start fresh and heal after escaping her ex who doesn't acknowledge that it's over. When they keep running into each other they both feel a connection but recognize that she's not ready. Will she learn to trust again? How does his family handle everything? What will it take for her to be safe?

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about finding faith and love. The beginning is simply hilarious. So much just can’t happen in such a short timeframe. Great characters that draw you right into their lives and emotions. I adore Calvin. When he takes Natalie to church, oh my but it really sets off something. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thoughtful and thought provoking book! In a few words it was about how Christ’s grace rescues us, and this, along with the sweet romance and chivalry that was portrayed in this tale, made the book a treasure!