The Forest Ranger's Promise

The Forest Rangers #1

by Leigh Bale

Managing a Wyoming sheep ranch and a feisty little girl isn't easy for widow Melanie MacAllister. The last thing she needs is yet another forest ranger to stir up trouble for the ranchers. But when she meets single dad Scott Ennison and his daughter, she realizes there's something special about this ranger. Scott has vowed to protect the land and the ranchers his predecessors have alienated in the past. Yet no one wants to trust him—except courageous Melanie. Together they'll prove that a rancher and a ranger can become neighbors, friends…maybe even a family.

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Leigh Bale is Publisher's Weekly best selling author. She won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006 and was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Write Touch Reader's Award and the Bookseller's Best Award. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds. You can reach Leigh at www.LeighBale.com.

Reviews

[Elon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, uplifting story.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was the new ranger for the Snyder District in Wyoming. The last ranger they had caused a lot of bad feelings between the ranger and the cattle ranchers and the sheep rancher. he is recently divorced and trying to raise his 10-year-old daughter. It is very dangerous situation for everyone. trying to not fall in love is really difficult. This is a really good romance, mystery and a surprising ending.

[Gladys I Braun-Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forest Rangers Promise

A very good book. Once I started I couldn't put it down

These type of books are my lifestyle and background so I eat them up. God is always centered and I appreciate that.

[Marie Pinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!

What a beautiful story of the power of love to overcome bitterness, hatred, hurt and heartbreak. I loved the characters as they battled all those things and more to find a forever family. Loved it!

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Debra Ullrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing story!!! I can see why Leigh Bale is an award winning author. This story blew me away. Every one of my emotions were evoked!! I cried, I laughed, I sighed, and at times I wanted to spit needles and shake the daylights out of some of those bullies.

The characters are wonderful! Especially Shelley Ennison and Anne MacAllister and their little "dogie" bond. Wonder what that's all about? Well, you'll have to read the story to find out. *smiling*

Oh, and the hero, Scott Ennison...WOW! One of the best, most lovable heroes of all time. He's so sweet, and so calm even in the midst of great adversity! And patient too!!

The heroine Melanie MacAllister is a gal after my own heart. She knows how to stand up for herself and how to trust God even though everything inside her screams that she shouldn't, especially when it comes to a certain "enemy" ranger Scott Ennison.

Leigh Bale definitely mastered in "showing" how to love your enemies. Scott had plenty of reasons not to and to be vindictive and to use his power against his numerous enemies, but he didn't. In fact, love abounds in more ways than one in this delightful story.

I could go on and on about, The Forest Ranger's Promise, but I won't as I don't want to give anything away. What I will say is, trust me, you won't be sorry you bought it.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest rangers are not the first occupation I think of when it comes to romance heroes and what they do for a living. Cowboys, policemen, firefighters, diplomats. Now those are romantic occupations. In Leigh Bale’s new inspirational romance, The Forest Ranger’s Promise, the author introduces a forest ranger who has the qualities of all the above and more. The story of stalwart, hard working, and caring forest ranger Scott Ennison stole my heart and put forest rangers right up there on my “romantic hero profession” scale.

Bale has a wonderful talent for creating “real” characters and situations. Melanie MacAllister is the perfect heroine to team with Scott. Distrusting of men in general and rangers in particular, Melanie still has a sense of justice and integrity, making her a strong yet vulnerable woman. Bale also has the talent for drawing children and townspeople who are well-rounded, contributing rather than distracting from the main romantic relationship. As far as the plot goes, The Forest Ranger’s Promise has so many twists, turns, and unexpected outcomes, I found myself turning the pages quickly, and enjoying the dawning realization I couldn’t predict what would happen next. I am already impatient for the next book in this series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent story about single mother Melanie McAllister, who is raising an 11-year-old girl on a sheep farm in Wyoming. She's distrustful of many people, especially forest rangers, since the previous one didn't do much of anything. Enter Scott Ennison, who is also single parenting an 11-year-old girl, and who is the new forest ranger. Everyone in the town seems to be opposed to him, but they haven't really given him a chance to do anything.

Melanie becomes Scott's day care provider and he helps out with her ranch. The story moves along quickly, and Melanie and Scott are both strong, intelligent characters. How Melanie handles the town's prejudice is terrific. Seeing the two characters' daughters come together as friends is also a nice touch. Highly recommended.

[Leigh Bale]

This book is a May 2011 release. My father is a retired forest ranger and is serving as my consultant on this new series of stories from Harlequin Love Inspired. Each of the books can be read as a stand-alone. The second book will be released in November 2011: The Forest Ranger's Husband. Each story is loosely based on my father's life and has very real situations included. I hope you enjoy these action-packed stories as well as the poignant romance. Leigh Bale

[audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different read from most romances, there's a lot of small-town animosity and land management discussions, and precious little romance. Fortunately, that's entirely the way I like my romances. Also apparently well done land management discussions are a ticklespot for me.

Not an easy read, what with the frank depictions of close-minded bigotry, but a compelling story nonetheless.

[Kerstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet, simple story.
The premise could have been fleshed out a little better, less redundant filler, i.e., how often does it have to be stated that Scott is a good man? And, as it often is with Christian romance, the faith aspect is a bit too simplistic and saccarine.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

CUTE story! I enjoyed it! I especially liked the connection/friendship between the two little girls, Anne and Shelly

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but the ending wasn’t my favorite.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott, the new ranger in town and his daughter Shelly are not welcome, Melanie and her daughter Anne need help on their ranch. Can the two families work together even with the town against them?