Sherry K. reviewed An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero's Love Story, Bk 2) on + 188 more book reviews
Laurel Tracey is concerned. Trying to run a two hundred acre ranch by herself is more than she can handle. Her step siblings are no help at all and treat her really bad. And now she's having problems with squatters. Laurel's neighbor (whom she's known along time) would be more than happy to marry her and add her land to his, but she's not comfortable with that idea. The Sheriff, wanting to help Laurel, sends some of the prisoners out to work on her fence. She's finds herself intrigued with Thomas Baker. A prisoner that's a bit scary yet also a gentleman. She overhears that he could be free the next day if there's a buyer when they auctioned him off. Feeling like she's willing to take a chance, she gathers the last of her money and buys Thomas Baker's freedom. In exchange, he agrees to work for Laurel for one year. Thomas is totally taken with this woman who is so strong yet so tender-hearted. He knows there could never be anything between them, but he's vowed to protect her with his life, if necessary. The attraction between Laurel and Thomas is strong but Thomas knows it's in both their best interest if he keeps his distance. That becomes next to impossible when their lives are on the line. When things begin happening that Thomas feels he just can't safely handle on his own, he calls on his former soldier friends for help. And they always abide by the promise they made years ago.
Another great story! Loved getting to know Thomas and Laurel. They were really good characters. The story's opening was a little slow for me but it did lay the ground work for what was to come. Throughout the story you get glimpses (with flashbacks) of the relationship Thomas had with his fellow POWs and the reason they are always there for each other. I loved their comradery and how they interacted together. I also appreciated how Thomas was with Laurel. Kind, sweet and gentle. The idea of maintaining your faith in the Lord even in difficult circumstances shined through and was encouraging to the reader. Overall this was a good story and a good addition to the series. You could read it as a stand alone but there is the thread of friendship running through each story which is why I would recommend reading them in order. Now, I look forward to Love Held Captive!
*This complimentary copy was provided by Zondervan through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Some favorite moments:
Men didn't go around saying such things to gently bred women. They most certainly did not speak of the female form and attributes in mixed company....Of course, if he was being completely truthful, he didn't deserve all the blame. The problem was partly Miss Laurel's doing. The Lord had been generous with his gifts to her. Actually, she had a whole plethora of attributes that most of the male population would find difficult to ignore.
Most of the time he'd been given only the leftovers, what no one else wanted. His only exception had been his relationships with the other men in Captain Monroe's unit. Those were the best men he'd ever met, and he'd felt as if the Lord had given him those men's regard as a gift for all that he'd endured in his lifetime.
Johnson's Island had one thing Thomas was fond of, and that was lightning bugs. He spent a great many hours watching their flickering lights dance across the camp and light up over the calm waters as though they were stars falling from the sky. Their dancing and darting had become a source of hope for him. Thomas liked to think their appearance in his life was a sign from God, a reminder that good could be found anywhere and at any time. One just needed to have his eyes open and be watchful.
If your interested in more information about this book or other books by this author I recommend you visit her website at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com
Another great story! Loved getting to know Thomas and Laurel. They were really good characters. The story's opening was a little slow for me but it did lay the ground work for what was to come. Throughout the story you get glimpses (with flashbacks) of the relationship Thomas had with his fellow POWs and the reason they are always there for each other. I loved their comradery and how they interacted together. I also appreciated how Thomas was with Laurel. Kind, sweet and gentle. The idea of maintaining your faith in the Lord even in difficult circumstances shined through and was encouraging to the reader. Overall this was a good story and a good addition to the series. You could read it as a stand alone but there is the thread of friendship running through each story which is why I would recommend reading them in order. Now, I look forward to Love Held Captive!
*This complimentary copy was provided by Zondervan through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Some favorite moments:
Men didn't go around saying such things to gently bred women. They most certainly did not speak of the female form and attributes in mixed company....Of course, if he was being completely truthful, he didn't deserve all the blame. The problem was partly Miss Laurel's doing. The Lord had been generous with his gifts to her. Actually, she had a whole plethora of attributes that most of the male population would find difficult to ignore.
Most of the time he'd been given only the leftovers, what no one else wanted. His only exception had been his relationships with the other men in Captain Monroe's unit. Those were the best men he'd ever met, and he'd felt as if the Lord had given him those men's regard as a gift for all that he'd endured in his lifetime.
Johnson's Island had one thing Thomas was fond of, and that was lightning bugs. He spent a great many hours watching their flickering lights dance across the camp and light up over the calm waters as though they were stars falling from the sky. Their dancing and darting had become a source of hope for him. Thomas liked to think their appearance in his life was a sign from God, a reminder that good could be found anywhere and at any time. One just needed to have his eyes open and be watchful.
If your interested in more information about this book or other books by this author I recommend you visit her website at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com
Laura H. (lollipops) reviewed An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero's Love Story, Bk 2) on + 109 more book reviews
First, the disclaimer. "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, AN UNCOMMON PROTECTOR is the second book in the A Lone Star Hero's series, but it stands alone. I didn't read the first book A Loyal Heart and had no trouble following along with this book.
I mostly read Ms. Gray's Amish series, but have read one of her historicals in the past so decided to give this one a try. It has an interesting premise. Single girl losing ranch so she hires a convict (when he's release on (sort of) parole or really sold on the auction block) to work for her to save the ranch.
When Laurel brings Thomas home, her step-siblings rebel, attempting to call her bluff, and with no money or place to stay, walked eight miles to town. Laurel let them go. I didn't like the step-siblings at all. I did like Thomas' outspokenness, though he was inappropriate much of the time, and I'm glad he was a man of honor even if he did have a rather low opinion of himself.
Laurel is learning to be outspoken, so she is struggling to find the fine footing between being a genteel lady and being owner of a ranch and forced to make her own decisions for herself and others.
Ms. Gray isn't real big on faith messages, her books are more sweet romances with little to no mention of faith, so this book shouldn't be offensive to anyone (even if they are anti-Christian). If you like a strong faith message, look further, but if you like sweet romances, then Ms. Gray is a writer to consider. Her books are fun, imagitive, and light-hearted.
I mostly read Ms. Gray's Amish series, but have read one of her historicals in the past so decided to give this one a try. It has an interesting premise. Single girl losing ranch so she hires a convict (when he's release on (sort of) parole or really sold on the auction block) to work for her to save the ranch.
When Laurel brings Thomas home, her step-siblings rebel, attempting to call her bluff, and with no money or place to stay, walked eight miles to town. Laurel let them go. I didn't like the step-siblings at all. I did like Thomas' outspokenness, though he was inappropriate much of the time, and I'm glad he was a man of honor even if he did have a rather low opinion of himself.
Laurel is learning to be outspoken, so she is struggling to find the fine footing between being a genteel lady and being owner of a ranch and forced to make her own decisions for herself and others.
Ms. Gray isn't real big on faith messages, her books are more sweet romances with little to no mention of faith, so this book shouldn't be offensive to anyone (even if they are anti-Christian). If you like a strong faith message, look further, but if you like sweet romances, then Ms. Gray is a writer to consider. Her books are fun, imagitive, and light-hearted.
Myra B. (moondust) reviewed An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero's Love Story, Bk 2) on + 9 more book reviews
Excellent story. A few inconsistencies in that originally talking about the ranch being only 200 acres, and then near the end suddenly the ranch is 1000 acres. Also there is no such thing as a mother heifer - a heifer is a cow who has never had a baby.
Otherwise a good read
Otherwise a good read
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero's Love Story, Bk 2) on + 811 more book reviews
This was so good! Sweet romance with wonderful characters, with some haughty bad guys in the mix! It all worked out in the end:) Highly recommended!
Kristina A. reviewed An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero's Love Story, Bk 2) on + 1528 more book reviews
An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shephard Gray is the second book in A Lone Star Hero's Love Story. It is July 1867 in Sweetwater, Texas. Laurel Tracey has a hard time running the Red Roan Ranch. Laurel has seen squatters on her land, and she needs someone who is strong and forceful (and a little scary) to assist her with the running of the ranch. Laurel gets an idea when she overhears the prisoners, who have been working on her ranch, talking about when one of them is eligible for release. A convict can get early release at a type of sale. A person can âbuyâ the prisoner for one year. They are provided lodging and food while they work the next year to pay off their debt. Laurel decides that Thomas Baker (a former Sergeant) would be the perfect person to assist her. Thomas is glad for the chance to get out of jail especially after the whipping he received from guard, Foster Howell. Laurel purchases Baker despite opposition. Laurel's stepsiblings object to Baker's presence at the house (the moochers), and they are backed by neighbor, Landon Marshall. Laurel refuses to back down and her stepsiblings immediately depart (for which Laurel is very grateful). Baker's presence proves valuable when a dead calf is left on Laurel's doorstep. Someone poisoned the poor animal. This is just the beginning of troubles for Laurel. Someone is trying to drive her out, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. Baker is not going to let someone drive Laurel off her land. He telegrams his old unit for assistance in fighting these bandits. But who is behind these attacks? As time passes, Laurel sees the good man behind the rough exterior and starts to fall for him. Baker admires Laurel and cannot help falling her for her. But he does not feel worthy of such a lady. To find out what happens, you will need to read An Uncommon Protector.
An Uncommon Protector is the second book in the series, but it can be read alone. The author does provide updates on the characters from The Loyal Heart (first book in series). I found An Uncommon Protector to be well-written and it has good characters. It has a nice, light Christian theme (it was just right). I did find that the romance was predictable (you knew they would end up together in the end). I give An Uncommon Protector 3 out of 5 stars. I could identify the party behind the attacks very early in the book (it was very obvious). The take down of the bad guys was a little rushed and a bit of a letdown. The pace of the book is a little slow especially during the âthinkingâ sections. There are many areas of the book where the two main characters are thinking (mostly about each other). I did not enjoy the flashbacks into Baker's time in the POW camp during the Civil War. These sections provide insight into Thomas Baker's character, but there were too many of them. I felt they took away from the book (the reader just gets into the story and then we go back in time). Please be aware that there is violence against animals that is very disturbing (and upsetting). I am not the right audience for An Uncommon Protector. I do, though, look forward to reading other novels from Shelley Shepard Gray in the future (I love her Amish novels).
An Uncommon Protector is the second book in the series, but it can be read alone. The author does provide updates on the characters from The Loyal Heart (first book in series). I found An Uncommon Protector to be well-written and it has good characters. It has a nice, light Christian theme (it was just right). I did find that the romance was predictable (you knew they would end up together in the end). I give An Uncommon Protector 3 out of 5 stars. I could identify the party behind the attacks very early in the book (it was very obvious). The take down of the bad guys was a little rushed and a bit of a letdown. The pace of the book is a little slow especially during the âthinkingâ sections. There are many areas of the book where the two main characters are thinking (mostly about each other). I did not enjoy the flashbacks into Baker's time in the POW camp during the Civil War. These sections provide insight into Thomas Baker's character, but there were too many of them. I felt they took away from the book (the reader just gets into the story and then we go back in time). Please be aware that there is violence against animals that is very disturbing (and upsetting). I am not the right audience for An Uncommon Protector. I do, though, look forward to reading other novels from Shelley Shepard Gray in the future (I love her Amish novels).
