Loved the characters in this book and loved that they were not perfect. The storyline e was interesting and I loved the revelation at the end that tied up some loose ends. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. A nice no -taxing read!
Lucy March is not sure what she's going to do. She's lost her job at the dressmakers and she's being evicted from her home. On top of that she's caring for her younger brother and sister because her their mother (Lucy's step-mother) took off shortly after their father was killed in a buggy accident. Lucy would like to provide a good home for them but she's not sure how she'll do that. The Lord seems to answer her plea by way of Henry Stanton. Henry says he wants to help her but the only way he will is if she agrees to marry his son, Nate, by proxy. After much thought, she reluctantly agrees. Nate is dismayed to find out what his father has done. How could he marry him off without his knowledge and especially to someone who looks so unfit for ranch life. Not only that, but she has younger siblings that are now his responsibility. Slowly but surely though, he begins to see that she's made of tougher stuff then he thought. They are trying to do the right thing but obstacles seem to be popping up everywhere and danger seems to be lurking just around the corner.
This is definitely going down as a favorite of mine. There were so many things I loved about this story. It's easy to read but the storyline is so tightly knit. It seems like there was no extra words anywhere. It all meant something. I really like that! The characters are so full of life and interesting to spend time with. I had so much admiration for Lucy. She inspired me with her courage and determination. Nate was such an awesome guy but a little rough around the edges. Nothing Lucy couldn't fix, of course! The kids are absolute gems. The way the story played out was so realistic and true to life. The slow build between Lucy and Nate is absolute torture but keeps you quickly flipping those pages, right to the very end. I couldn't put it down and when I absolutely had to, I found myself anxious to get back to it. It's got mystery, danger, romance and a great spiritual message about letting God take control. I think this is one of Colleen's best work. Blue Moon Promise is one I highly recommend. A thank you goes to Thomas Nelson who provided me with this complimentary copy through Netgalley for my review. Great job, Colleen!!!
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 14, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1595549153
ISBN-13: 978-1595549150
This is definitely going down as a favorite of mine. There were so many things I loved about this story. It's easy to read but the storyline is so tightly knit. It seems like there was no extra words anywhere. It all meant something. I really like that! The characters are so full of life and interesting to spend time with. I had so much admiration for Lucy. She inspired me with her courage and determination. Nate was such an awesome guy but a little rough around the edges. Nothing Lucy couldn't fix, of course! The kids are absolute gems. The way the story played out was so realistic and true to life. The slow build between Lucy and Nate is absolute torture but keeps you quickly flipping those pages, right to the very end. I couldn't put it down and when I absolutely had to, I found myself anxious to get back to it. It's got mystery, danger, romance and a great spiritual message about letting God take control. I think this is one of Colleen's best work. Blue Moon Promise is one I highly recommend. A thank you goes to Thomas Nelson who provided me with this complimentary copy through Netgalley for my review. Great job, Colleen!!!
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 14, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1595549153
ISBN-13: 978-1595549150
Blue Moon Promise is the story of a young woman who has the responsibility of raising her two younger siblings and has run out of options. She has lost her job and her home and has no idea where they can go. She also suspects that she is being followed although she has no idea why. When she is offered the opportunity to move to Texas and marry a rancher as a way out of her many problems, she decides to accept for the sake of her siblings. Lucy finds the west to be new and exciting and quickly realizes that she can learn to love this new life and her new husbandbut can he love her?
I found Colleen Cobles story to be very captivating and interesting. Lucy, Nate, Jed & Eileen all had a wonderful chemistry that pulled me into the story and kept my interest. The struggles of ranch life along with the mysterious stolen coins made for a gripping tale that was deeply satisfying. The book represented Christian values throughout the story with a well planned plot and ending. I found it to be a very good read.
I received this complimentary copy from the Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
I found Colleen Cobles story to be very captivating and interesting. Lucy, Nate, Jed & Eileen all had a wonderful chemistry that pulled me into the story and kept my interest. The struggles of ranch life along with the mysterious stolen coins made for a gripping tale that was deeply satisfying. The book represented Christian values throughout the story with a well planned plot and ending. I found it to be a very good read.
I received this complimentary copy from the Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
Marie B. (burtonreview) -
After seeing Blue Moon Promise reviews elsewhere, I was thrilled to be able to snag this as my first ebook via NetGalley from Thomas Nelson publishers. It is a quick read at 320 pages, and the overall story is told well. At first, you are quickly and somewhat uncomfortably crash landing into the story as young Lucy Marsh finds herself penniless with two siblings to care for, but we are then swiftly carried off into her world as she travels to Texas to meet her new husband Nate.
With a few convenient twists, we find there is a family feud betwixt Nate's and Lucy's extended families, but luckily they each have the power of prayer and intelligence to see them through the tough times. This is a love story as well as offering mystery, fear and the fortitude to trust in oneself and loved ones.
The characters of Lucy and Nate are easily likable, and they fit well together along with Lucy's siblings Jed and Eileen. Their family unit has the power of love and respect to hold them together, yet the forces of old family squabbles threaten the peace of the new family. Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller- I couldn't put this one down. Although I would have loved a little more dimension to the characters, it was the interesting historical setting of ranching life in the year 1877 with the element of suspense which kept the story fresh. This is a clean historical romance which wholeheartedly embraces faith in God, and I look forward to perusing Colleen Coble's massive backlist as well as anticipating the next installment of the Under Texas Stars series.
With a few convenient twists, we find there is a family feud betwixt Nate's and Lucy's extended families, but luckily they each have the power of prayer and intelligence to see them through the tough times. This is a love story as well as offering mystery, fear and the fortitude to trust in oneself and loved ones.
The characters of Lucy and Nate are easily likable, and they fit well together along with Lucy's siblings Jed and Eileen. Their family unit has the power of love and respect to hold them together, yet the forces of old family squabbles threaten the peace of the new family. Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller- I couldn't put this one down. Although I would have loved a little more dimension to the characters, it was the interesting historical setting of ranching life in the year 1877 with the element of suspense which kept the story fresh. This is a clean historical romance which wholeheartedly embraces faith in God, and I look forward to perusing Colleen Coble's massive backlist as well as anticipating the next installment of the Under Texas Stars series.
What a beautiful cover this book has. Blue Moon Promise is a good Texas cowboy story that I enjoyed very much. Highly recommended!
About this book:
"Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.
Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh--a city girl--on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch."
Series: It is book #1 in the "Under Texas Stars" series. {I have not read book #2, "Safe in His Arms", but I might one day after hearing that it's much better than the first book in the series.}
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 16:9 at the beginning; Prayers; Lucy & Nate both say they're Christians; H's are not capital when talking about God; Many Scriptures are quoted and Bible stories are mentioned.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a dumb', an idiot', a shut up', a sissy', two stupid's and three hush's; Curses are said but not written; a morgel (half-dog-half-wolf) and dogfight (semi-detailed); a Mention of a chicken being killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking and saloons; Indians are talked about a lot.
Sexual Content- a wench'; Four semi-detailed kisses and Not-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss & Wanting more; Staring & Noticing; Seven mentions about a married couple sharing a bed, Four mentions of having kids and three mentions of a husband's marriage rights; Sharing a bed (barely-above-not-detailed, but the emotions are there--noting sexual happens); Lucy is almost manhandled by a ranch hand (he wanted a kiss but she pulls a gun on him); An Indian offers ten horses for a little girl (he gets turned down); Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions (lots of those).
-Lucy Marsh
-Nate Stanton
P.O.V. switches between them & Jeb
Set in 1877
300 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
Eh. Can't say that I enjoyed this book. Most arranged marriage books normally have a lot of Sexual mentions & hints and sadly, "Blue Moon Promise" was no exception. {The only arranged marriage book I actually liked was "Honor" by Lyn Cote. Click Here to see that review! } The only thing that saved this book from a flat-out one-star rating on all was the many Scriptures that were quoted. But still, it really didn't need all that Sexual Content.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
"Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.
Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh--a city girl--on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch."
Series: It is book #1 in the "Under Texas Stars" series. {I have not read book #2, "Safe in His Arms", but I might one day after hearing that it's much better than the first book in the series.}
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 16:9 at the beginning; Prayers; Lucy & Nate both say they're Christians; H's are not capital when talking about God; Many Scriptures are quoted and Bible stories are mentioned.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a dumb', an idiot', a shut up', a sissy', two stupid's and three hush's; Curses are said but not written; a morgel (half-dog-half-wolf) and dogfight (semi-detailed); a Mention of a chicken being killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking and saloons; Indians are talked about a lot.
Sexual Content- a wench'; Four semi-detailed kisses and Not-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss & Wanting more; Staring & Noticing; Seven mentions about a married couple sharing a bed, Four mentions of having kids and three mentions of a husband's marriage rights; Sharing a bed (barely-above-not-detailed, but the emotions are there--noting sexual happens); Lucy is almost manhandled by a ranch hand (he wanted a kiss but she pulls a gun on him); An Indian offers ten horses for a little girl (he gets turned down); Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions (lots of those).
-Lucy Marsh
-Nate Stanton
P.O.V. switches between them & Jeb
Set in 1877
300 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
Eh. Can't say that I enjoyed this book. Most arranged marriage books normally have a lot of Sexual mentions & hints and sadly, "Blue Moon Promise" was no exception. {The only arranged marriage book I actually liked was "Honor" by Lyn Cote. Click Here to see that review! } The only thing that saved this book from a flat-out one-star rating on all was the many Scriptures that were quoted. But still, it really didn't need all that Sexual Content.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
