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Under Texas Stars #1
Blue Moon Promise
Coble is a great writer, she knows what readers want and she does not disappoint.--Romantic Times
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.
Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.
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.
Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2012
362 people are currently reading
3800 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Coble
147 books6,313 followersUSAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 6 million books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
March 4, 2012
One of my favorite kinds of books are arranged marriages so I had high hopes for this one. It was sweet and very clean. It takes place in the west on a cattle ranch and I love a good western romance. It had some good action scenes and the story was very interesting and was a great plot. Unfortunately the book fell flat for me in many ways. It felt very rushed and disjointed. There were many instances were the movement and transition was just off. Here is an example- He tried to pull her close again, but she stood and evaded his grasp."You're the only blessing I need". She relaxed against him and he tucked her into the bedroll. If she evaded his grasp and stood how could she have moved so close to relax against him? and how did he tuck her into the bed roll if she were standing. That would have been a sweet scene if I hadn't been trying to work out how it all happened. I always pay close attention to character movement, it's kinda a thing I do, but sometimes it is the small movements that make a romance sweet, You can picture in your mind where characters are standing and how they lean into each other and when they rest there hands on each other. There was a lot of preaching in weird places, like the cowboys on the cattle drive reading the bible together, Huh? and a sweet scene where he is telling her he loves her and she is thinking of the ways she is coming closer to God? I am sorry but I would not be paying attention to that if I was a woman who just heard the man of my dreams tell me he loved me. Oh well. It was a nice story and I had no trouble finishing it, but not one I would go back too, just to many problems.
June 23, 2013
I do not understand how this book has so many 4&5 star reviews, because it was really disjointed and just all over the place. It wasn't awful, I really liked the main character Lucy. Heck, she was the only reason I kept reading this book. I like how much she tried to be a proper cowgirl wife to Nate and the way she constantly attempts to control everything in her life and the live of other's around her is something I can relate to. So yes, I liked Lucy and to a lesser extent, her new husband Nate.
However.
I felt like this author had too many things she was trying to fit into this story and in the end, it was just too much to believe.
+ We had
1) the mystery surrounding Lucy's father's death
2) 1 or 2 different strange men ransack their house and then follow them to Texas to continue ransacking their house
3) Larson hiring someone to set fire to Nate's barn and then the missing cattle
4) O'Brian's foreman attempted to accost Lucy
5) That one random guy (Watson) that showed up in town to flirt with Lucy's cousin and steal the goods but then he kind of disappeared and wasn't quite as bad we were originally led to believe
6) Henry, Nate's pa, that I spent the whole book trying to figure out if he was a good or bad person and I still do not know
7) The one page scene with the Indian wanting to scalp Lucy's hair and Eileen's (and that was the only time we saw Indians, despite the author mentioning them every other chapter)
8) A cattle stampede
9) A missing 3 year old
10) A snakebite that nearly cost Lucy her life
11)the issue with the land
12) Nate's younger brother who showed up for two chapters and then left as suddenly as he came
13) The wrap up that involved Lucy's stepmother
14) A jealous neighbor
15) an amnesia plot line
It was just a lot. Just too much going on I felt. If this story had focused more on Nate and Lucy's marriage and how hard it was adjusting to life as an instant family, it would have been a lot better in my opinion. But there were just too many plot lines going on and although they all wrapped up by the end (mostly), it was all a bit too unbelievable for me to take.
1.5 stars
However.
I felt like this author had too many things she was trying to fit into this story and in the end, it was just too much to believe.
+ We had
1) the mystery surrounding Lucy's father's death
2) 1 or 2 different strange men ransack their house and then follow them to Texas to continue ransacking their house
3) Larson hiring someone to set fire to Nate's barn and then the missing cattle
4) O'Brian's foreman attempted to accost Lucy
5) That one random guy (Watson) that showed up in town to flirt with Lucy's cousin and steal the goods but then he kind of disappeared and wasn't quite as bad we were originally led to believe
6) Henry, Nate's pa, that I spent the whole book trying to figure out if he was a good or bad person and I still do not know
7) The one page scene with the Indian wanting to scalp Lucy's hair and Eileen's (and that was the only time we saw Indians, despite the author mentioning them every other chapter)
8) A cattle stampede
9) A missing 3 year old
10) A snakebite that nearly cost Lucy her life
11)the issue with the land
12) Nate's younger brother who showed up for two chapters and then left as suddenly as he came
13) The wrap up that involved Lucy's stepmother
14) A jealous neighbor
15) an amnesia plot line
It was just a lot. Just too much going on I felt. If this story had focused more on Nate and Lucy's marriage and how hard it was adjusting to life as an instant family, it would have been a lot better in my opinion. But there were just too many plot lines going on and although they all wrapped up by the end (mostly), it was all a bit too unbelievable for me to take.
1.5 stars
July 8, 2021
This was one of my first Colleen Coble books, and I chose it because I needed something more chill than the last book I read. And, in a way, it was more relaxing. Somewhat.
I'm a big fan of westerns, and there were elements of this book I enjoyed because of that. There was the expected cattle drive, branding, and horses; as well as more unpleasant stuff, like wild animal encounters and even a snakebite. However, there wasn't really the other part of 99% of westerns - the clear-cut villain who's out to get the main characters. Now that I think about it, this book felt so rambling because the villain was too scattered. Because of this, there was no real climax, at least how I think westerns should have climaxes. You know, the part where the good guy has a showdown with the badguy, usually with gunfights and chasing among big boulders. The plot just felt like a lot of scrambled bad events that got resolved too quickly and didn't really connect. More of just day-to-day bad occurrences instead of a cohesive plotline. The whole plot with the coins and everything just fell flat, and the way everything wrapped up was dismal and way too quick.
Lucy and Nate were ok characters, but they felt like ... characters, not real people. I just never connected very well to them, especially to Nate. Also, their romance situation was weird. Like, can we please stop having these books where a huge part of the plot is the characters trying to decide if they're married in a physical sense or not? Like, please. I don't want to read about it. Thankfully, Coble didn't allow it to become inappropriate at all; it was just a little irritating to have to read when every other book seems like a marriage of convenience. (But that's also my fault for not really reading the summary thoroughly...) The moral wasn't super strong, but there was definitely an emphasis on trusting the Lord and not trying to control things.
Overall, this was an ok, quick read. I don't know if I'll be reading the next in the series, but if you're looking for an average Western, this one's for you.
I'm a big fan of westerns, and there were elements of this book I enjoyed because of that. There was the expected cattle drive, branding, and horses; as well as more unpleasant stuff, like wild animal encounters and even a snakebite. However, there wasn't really the other part of 99% of westerns - the clear-cut villain who's out to get the main characters. Now that I think about it, this book felt so rambling because the villain was too scattered. Because of this, there was no real climax, at least how I think westerns should have climaxes. You know, the part where the good guy has a showdown with the badguy, usually with gunfights and chasing among big boulders. The plot just felt like a lot of scrambled bad events that got resolved too quickly and didn't really connect. More of just day-to-day bad occurrences instead of a cohesive plotline. The whole plot with the coins and everything just fell flat, and the way everything wrapped up was dismal and way too quick.
Lucy and Nate were ok characters, but they felt like ... characters, not real people. I just never connected very well to them, especially to Nate. Also, their romance situation was weird. Like, can we please stop having these books where a huge part of the plot is the characters trying to decide if they're married in a physical sense or not? Like, please. I don't want to read about it. Thankfully, Coble didn't allow it to become inappropriate at all; it was just a little irritating to have to read when every other book seems like a marriage of convenience. (But that's also my fault for not really reading the summary thoroughly...) The moral wasn't super strong, but there was definitely an emphasis on trusting the Lord and not trying to control things.
Overall, this was an ok, quick read. I don't know if I'll be reading the next in the series, but if you're looking for an average Western, this one's for you.
June 23, 2023
Lucy Marsh loses her job as a seamstress and then finds out she and her two younger siblings are being evicted. Her parents are dead, and her stepmother is uninterested in caring for Lucy's brother and sister. When a childhood friend of her father's turns up and offers her a way to provide for herself and her siblings, Lucy feels she has no choice but to accept. His offer? Enter into a proxy marriage with his son Nate, then travel out to Texas to begin life anew there.
Nate Stanton knows marriage is a blessing. He just doesn't have time for it, what with trying to expand the family ranch while keeping his antagonistic neighbors at bay, and all that entails. He is plenty upset when his father shows up with a surprise wife for Nate, plus her two siblings. What could a short, scrawny city girl like Lucy hope to do on a Texas ranch? Sit around looking pretty? Nate does not have time for such nonsense.
But, of course, Lucy is more capable than Nate realizes. And Nate is kinder and more understanding that Lucy had even hoped. Together, they start to build a life together while trying to decide when they will both be ready to consummate their relationship.
Oh, yes, there is a LOT of dithering about that. Dithering and fretting and musing and dithering some more. To the point that I got rather frustrated with them both. Plenty of people throughout history have gotten married to people they basically didn't know, and I'm sure that creates a lot of awkwardness, but I think this book spun that all out a lot longer than was necessary. I would much rather have had a good chunk of the book explore their life together once they'd "done it" and discovered that making love is just one small part of a marriage. Important, yes, but not the be-all, end-all pinnacle of married life that it is too often built up to be. But, nope, not the route the book went. Oh well. It was an enjoyable book anyway.
Nate Stanton knows marriage is a blessing. He just doesn't have time for it, what with trying to expand the family ranch while keeping his antagonistic neighbors at bay, and all that entails. He is plenty upset when his father shows up with a surprise wife for Nate, plus her two siblings. What could a short, scrawny city girl like Lucy hope to do on a Texas ranch? Sit around looking pretty? Nate does not have time for such nonsense.
But, of course, Lucy is more capable than Nate realizes. And Nate is kinder and more understanding that Lucy had even hoped. Together, they start to build a life together while trying to decide when they will both be ready to consummate their relationship.
Oh, yes, there is a LOT of dithering about that. Dithering and fretting and musing and dithering some more. To the point that I got rather frustrated with them both. Plenty of people throughout history have gotten married to people they basically didn't know, and I'm sure that creates a lot of awkwardness, but I think this book spun that all out a lot longer than was necessary. I would much rather have had a good chunk of the book explore their life together once they'd "done it" and discovered that making love is just one small part of a marriage. Important, yes, but not the be-all, end-all pinnacle of married life that it is too often built up to be. But, nope, not the route the book went. Oh well. It was an enjoyable book anyway.
April 21, 2012
This was received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – thank you.
Blue Moon Promise is one of those books I didn't have terribly high expectations for - but I did have hopes. I've seen my expectations turned on their heads quite often lately, and this seemed to have promise. It's a Christian romance set in the American West in the very early 1900's, about a girl (Lucy) who is approached by a rancher offering her a new life: she can pack up her few belongings and her little half-brother and half-sister and leave this place where life has been extremely unkind, and she can come west with him to be his son's bride. That is, he will have her married to him by proxy before they leave, and no, his son, Nate, doesn't know, and she gets the impression that he won't be overjoyed. But circumstances don't leave her much choice - her father just died, her siblings' mother has abandoned them, and she just lost her job and was evicted (the latter two events all in one day) – and she decides to do it. The rest of the story is working out that situation, along with the exact circumstances of her father's death and the status of some valuable silver coins she finds.
Let's face it; awful as they must be in reality, arranged marriages are interesting to read about, and this is the first time I've come across marriage-by-proxy in a semi-modern setting. Also, I often enjoy Westerns and "wild west" settings. I was interested. What I found was a solid, workmanlike story, pretty well told; the characters are amiable enough; the plot is rather overwrought and far-fetched – with startling revelations, hysterical amnesia, family feuding, and sinister stalkers – but it managed to pull it off; the little girl, while not written so as to be appealing to me, was also not one of the more annoying I've ever read. The humor – chiefly centering on a tarantula named Zeke – achieves humorousness, if nowhere near the laugh-out-loud variety, and not exactly with a feather-light touch. The narrative moves briskly and efficiently from point A to point B and onward to the conclusion. There were enough interesting elements to the plot to keep me reading to the end. Unfortunately, Blue Moon Promise didn't quite exceed my low expectations; it told the story, but did not make me care about it or the characters. To be honest, I finished it less than twenty-four hours before writing this, and I can't remember the climax of the story. I do know that it seemed like a string of one injury after another, to one main character after another – a time-honored Romance Novelist's Friend, one way to ramp up feeling between protagonists who might not otherwise admit to being in love.
While the writing was, overall, serviceable, there were some questionable dialogue moments. I'm not convinced the little girl (whose dialogue was more annoying than endearing) would have been constantly telling everyone she had to "go potty" at this point in time, but I am pretty thoroughly certain a twelve-year-old boy in 1910 would not tell his sister that a cattle stampede "was really cool". That was a sad, sad thing, although I have to say I think I'd rather read an anachronistic "cool" than the presumably contemporary phrase "let's jaw awhile". The man who says this is making a tentative romantic overture in this scene … I think there might have been a better way to phrase it, especially as he doesn't as a rule talk like an ol' cowhand from a low budget western.
It was sweet; it was clean; it bordered on heavy-handed in its Christianity, but for me didn't quite cross the line into proselytizing, working fairly organically into the writing; none of its flaws were so terrible as to be odious. It did hold my attention, but simply to find out what happened, not so much because I wanted resolution for the characters as because I wanted it for myself – I hate loose ends. It wasn't one of those books that make me regret the time spent reading it. It was okay.
(Ah: I seem to have been right -
potty (n.) 1942, child's word for "chamber pot," from pot (1). Potty-training is attested from 1958. Potty-mouth "one who uses obscene language" is student slang from 1968.
potty (adj.) "crazy, silly," 1920, slang, of unknown origin, perhaps connected to potter (v.). Earlier slang senses were "easy to manage" (1899) and "feeble, petty" (1860).
Another source indicates the word usage originated around 1840–50; still, it didn't sit right. So to speak.)
Blue Moon Promise is one of those books I didn't have terribly high expectations for - but I did have hopes. I've seen my expectations turned on their heads quite often lately, and this seemed to have promise. It's a Christian romance set in the American West in the very early 1900's, about a girl (Lucy) who is approached by a rancher offering her a new life: she can pack up her few belongings and her little half-brother and half-sister and leave this place where life has been extremely unkind, and she can come west with him to be his son's bride. That is, he will have her married to him by proxy before they leave, and no, his son, Nate, doesn't know, and she gets the impression that he won't be overjoyed. But circumstances don't leave her much choice - her father just died, her siblings' mother has abandoned them, and she just lost her job and was evicted (the latter two events all in one day) – and she decides to do it. The rest of the story is working out that situation, along with the exact circumstances of her father's death and the status of some valuable silver coins she finds.
Let's face it; awful as they must be in reality, arranged marriages are interesting to read about, and this is the first time I've come across marriage-by-proxy in a semi-modern setting. Also, I often enjoy Westerns and "wild west" settings. I was interested. What I found was a solid, workmanlike story, pretty well told; the characters are amiable enough; the plot is rather overwrought and far-fetched – with startling revelations, hysterical amnesia, family feuding, and sinister stalkers – but it managed to pull it off; the little girl, while not written so as to be appealing to me, was also not one of the more annoying I've ever read. The humor – chiefly centering on a tarantula named Zeke – achieves humorousness, if nowhere near the laugh-out-loud variety, and not exactly with a feather-light touch. The narrative moves briskly and efficiently from point A to point B and onward to the conclusion. There were enough interesting elements to the plot to keep me reading to the end. Unfortunately, Blue Moon Promise didn't quite exceed my low expectations; it told the story, but did not make me care about it or the characters. To be honest, I finished it less than twenty-four hours before writing this, and I can't remember the climax of the story. I do know that it seemed like a string of one injury after another, to one main character after another – a time-honored Romance Novelist's Friend, one way to ramp up feeling between protagonists who might not otherwise admit to being in love.
While the writing was, overall, serviceable, there were some questionable dialogue moments. I'm not convinced the little girl (whose dialogue was more annoying than endearing) would have been constantly telling everyone she had to "go potty" at this point in time, but I am pretty thoroughly certain a twelve-year-old boy in 1910 would not tell his sister that a cattle stampede "was really cool". That was a sad, sad thing, although I have to say I think I'd rather read an anachronistic "cool" than the presumably contemporary phrase "let's jaw awhile". The man who says this is making a tentative romantic overture in this scene … I think there might have been a better way to phrase it, especially as he doesn't as a rule talk like an ol' cowhand from a low budget western.
It was sweet; it was clean; it bordered on heavy-handed in its Christianity, but for me didn't quite cross the line into proselytizing, working fairly organically into the writing; none of its flaws were so terrible as to be odious. It did hold my attention, but simply to find out what happened, not so much because I wanted resolution for the characters as because I wanted it for myself – I hate loose ends. It wasn't one of those books that make me regret the time spent reading it. It was okay.
(Ah: I seem to have been right -
potty (n.) 1942, child's word for "chamber pot," from pot (1). Potty-training is attested from 1958. Potty-mouth "one who uses obscene language" is student slang from 1968.
potty (adj.) "crazy, silly," 1920, slang, of unknown origin, perhaps connected to potter (v.). Earlier slang senses were "easy to manage" (1899) and "feeble, petty" (1860).
Another source indicates the word usage originated around 1840–50; still, it didn't sit right. So to speak.)
August 9, 2012
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1P2JH3Q...
To be posted on my blog 8/20: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
I’m not new to Colleen Coble’s books (in fact, she is one of my favorite authors), but this is the first historical one of hers I’ve read. Blue Moon Promise was great from the beginning on – I loved the premise to the story (how a father gets his son a bride without his knowledge) and the tiny bit of suspense that was thrown in. :)
Nate put a hand on his hip. “She’s not my wife, Pa. I never gave you permission to bring me back a bride.”
“You signed a proxy statement, Nate. It’s all legal, and you’d best make the most of it.”
“The proxy was to sell cattle! Not marry me off.”
~Page 41
I loved the characters and could even see some of myself in Lucy (especially how she wanted to be there if there was danger). My favorite characters were Nate, Lucy, and Jed. There were some great messages in this book, as well (for instance, one was how we don’t have to work for love).
“It upsets me so much,” she burst out. “Both of you out there facing all kinds of danger when I can’t even see.”
“What would happen if you could see us? You can’t keep us safe by willing it. God will do as he sees best. Nothing we can do about that.”
~Page 205
There were some twists in Blue Moon Promise I did not see coming and that made the book all the more great. I was never bored when reading this book and even found myself smiling sometimes when the story was sweet and/or funny. :)
After finishing Blue Moon Promise I am really looking forward to book two in Colleen’s Under the Texas Stars series, The Red River Bride, coming January 2013.
All in all, I loved Blue Moon Promise and, if you enjoy historical romances, I’m sure you will also enjoy this book! I most definitely recommend it! :)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
*Quotes used with permission from author.*
To be posted on my blog 8/20: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
I’m not new to Colleen Coble’s books (in fact, she is one of my favorite authors), but this is the first historical one of hers I’ve read. Blue Moon Promise was great from the beginning on – I loved the premise to the story (how a father gets his son a bride without his knowledge) and the tiny bit of suspense that was thrown in. :)
Nate put a hand on his hip. “She’s not my wife, Pa. I never gave you permission to bring me back a bride.”
“You signed a proxy statement, Nate. It’s all legal, and you’d best make the most of it.”
“The proxy was to sell cattle! Not marry me off.”
~Page 41
I loved the characters and could even see some of myself in Lucy (especially how she wanted to be there if there was danger). My favorite characters were Nate, Lucy, and Jed. There were some great messages in this book, as well (for instance, one was how we don’t have to work for love).
“It upsets me so much,” she burst out. “Both of you out there facing all kinds of danger when I can’t even see.”
“What would happen if you could see us? You can’t keep us safe by willing it. God will do as he sees best. Nothing we can do about that.”
~Page 205
There were some twists in Blue Moon Promise I did not see coming and that made the book all the more great. I was never bored when reading this book and even found myself smiling sometimes when the story was sweet and/or funny. :)
After finishing Blue Moon Promise I am really looking forward to book two in Colleen’s Under the Texas Stars series, The Red River Bride, coming January 2013.
All in all, I loved Blue Moon Promise and, if you enjoy historical romances, I’m sure you will also enjoy this book! I most definitely recommend it! :)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
*Quotes used with permission from author.*
October 12, 2015
Great pacing. Cute Story. Fun characters.
March 5, 2012
First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.
Even though this is only the second book I have read by Colleen Coble, I know that I will always enjoy reading anything she writes. She wonderfully mixes a sweet historical romance with suspense, intrigue, and adventure to make her books enjoyable to a variety of readers!
While the story plot is very important in a book, the characters are even moreso—if the characters don’t seem real, the story falls apart. At least, in my opinion. I was excited and delighted to discover that Coble created a wonderful cast of characters within Blue Moon Promise—from Drew Larson, a guy with a serious chip on his shoulder, to Jed, a young boy striving to be the man of the house.
I remember with the previous book I read by Coble, I sometimes had a problem with how the action scenes were written. And I was delighted to find out that I ran into no such problem in Blue Moon Promise! Things flowed along at a good pace—not very fast, but then I didn’t expect it to be. It’s a historical romance, and while there is suspense in it, it’s more of a subplot. The main focus is on the budding relationship between married couple Nate and Lucy. Which was totally sigh-worthy, by the way! :-)
In all, Blue Moon Promise was a very sweet read from beginning to end. I always love reading a romance where the two main characters marry, and then have to learn how to love, respect, and honor each other. And Colleen did it so beautifully in this one! I look forward to the next book in the Under Texas Stars series—and hope it tells Margaret or Fanny’s story!
Even though this is only the second book I have read by Colleen Coble, I know that I will always enjoy reading anything she writes. She wonderfully mixes a sweet historical romance with suspense, intrigue, and adventure to make her books enjoyable to a variety of readers!
While the story plot is very important in a book, the characters are even moreso—if the characters don’t seem real, the story falls apart. At least, in my opinion. I was excited and delighted to discover that Coble created a wonderful cast of characters within Blue Moon Promise—from Drew Larson, a guy with a serious chip on his shoulder, to Jed, a young boy striving to be the man of the house.
I remember with the previous book I read by Coble, I sometimes had a problem with how the action scenes were written. And I was delighted to find out that I ran into no such problem in Blue Moon Promise! Things flowed along at a good pace—not very fast, but then I didn’t expect it to be. It’s a historical romance, and while there is suspense in it, it’s more of a subplot. The main focus is on the budding relationship between married couple Nate and Lucy. Which was totally sigh-worthy, by the way! :-)
In all, Blue Moon Promise was a very sweet read from beginning to end. I always love reading a romance where the two main characters marry, and then have to learn how to love, respect, and honor each other. And Colleen did it so beautifully in this one! I look forward to the next book in the Under Texas Stars series—and hope it tells Margaret or Fanny’s story!
March 18, 2012
Colleen Coble always pens a good story, and this opening to her new series is no exception. Lucy and her brother and sister (Jed and Eileen) wrapped themselves around my heart immediately. Lucy is such a complex characater -- so spunky, competent and determined while at the same time overcome with insecurities. She may be tiny in stature, but she has a heart as big as the Texas sky! Nate didn't endear himself to me (or to Lucy!) initially but then, that should come as no surprise for a confirmed bachelor running a big ol' Texas ranch! It didn't take long for him to get used to having a family in his previously barren cabin and life! Danger and intrigue rear their heads like a rattler poised to strike when least expected as Colleen blends just the right amount of tension with blossoming love. Don't just make a Blue Moon Promise to read this; grab a copy today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
February 23, 2016
{This is the last review of 2014! Wow! Stay tune tomorrow for the best books of 2014 while we welcome 2015!}
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.
Link to Review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*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.
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.
Link to Review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*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.
March 14, 2012
An arranged marriage story with a twist.
Lucy Marsh struggles to raise her two siblings, keeping them out of the hands of their father's ill-meaning wife. When life in the city becomes too dangerous for them, Lucy gets a sudden proposal that may just be the answer to her prayers.
Nate is more than a little shocked when his father brings home a wife--not his father's wife, but Nate's!
Will Lucy and Nate, though thrown together by strange circumstances be able to weather the trials they face on the Texas range?
Definitely an interesting premise to begin a book! Written in a straight-forward manner that is easy to read and comprehend, Blue Moon Promise is a book that can be read in one huge gulp. I chuckled along with the characters, and smiled at Lucy's determination to not give up on her marriage, though it was based on less than normal terms. I loved how devoted she was to keeping her siblings safe, and cared for. This was the type of book that I could just dive into, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and the pages turned rapidly. Not only is this book a romance, it's also a mystery! And that was a big part of why I kept reading well into the night, I had quite the time trying to guess the why behind Nate and Lucy's troubles.
I will admit that I was skeptical because of how unrealistically it all came about, with Lucy's proposal and such, but by the time I got into it I really didn't care how it had started, I was sucked into the plot! And I enjoyed watching Lucy and Nate's relationship grow.
Overall, an enjoyable read, that was a blast to read! I would recommend this book to fans of western romances, who love some added mystery :) I think that fans of Robin Lee Hatcher's Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series would be a great match for this wonderful new series by Ms. Colleen Coble.
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Lucy Marsh struggles to raise her two siblings, keeping them out of the hands of their father's ill-meaning wife. When life in the city becomes too dangerous for them, Lucy gets a sudden proposal that may just be the answer to her prayers.
Nate is more than a little shocked when his father brings home a wife--not his father's wife, but Nate's!
Will Lucy and Nate, though thrown together by strange circumstances be able to weather the trials they face on the Texas range?
Definitely an interesting premise to begin a book! Written in a straight-forward manner that is easy to read and comprehend, Blue Moon Promise is a book that can be read in one huge gulp. I chuckled along with the characters, and smiled at Lucy's determination to not give up on her marriage, though it was based on less than normal terms. I loved how devoted she was to keeping her siblings safe, and cared for. This was the type of book that I could just dive into, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and the pages turned rapidly. Not only is this book a romance, it's also a mystery! And that was a big part of why I kept reading well into the night, I had quite the time trying to guess the why behind Nate and Lucy's troubles.
I will admit that I was skeptical because of how unrealistically it all came about, with Lucy's proposal and such, but by the time I got into it I really didn't care how it had started, I was sucked into the plot! And I enjoyed watching Lucy and Nate's relationship grow.
Overall, an enjoyable read, that was a blast to read! I would recommend this book to fans of western romances, who love some added mystery :) I think that fans of Robin Lee Hatcher's Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series would be a great match for this wonderful new series by Ms. Colleen Coble.
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I received this book in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2012
So, this was a pleasant read, but not a favorite. I liked the twist on the arranged marriage. Lucy marries Nate by proxy, he has no idea a wife is about to show up on his doorstep. He is pretty surprised and upset about the whole thing, but decides to make the best of it and accepts Lucy and her siblings into his life. I liked the plot and thought things moved along fine, although it did seem like Lucy kept getting into tough situations. Their relationship progressed kind of slowly, he was always waiting for her to make a move, but come on, what girl in her position would be the aggressor? I wanted to see some more wooing from him. I think my biggest problem with the story though was the churchy/preaching elements. I just didn’t think they fit into the story that well, and didn’t feel natural to the conversations. If all that stuff had been left out it would have been a smoother story. Overall, I liked the characters and the plot, but it just fell a little flat for me.
Content: Clean
Content: Clean
May 31, 2012
What I Loved
There was a lot going on in Blue Moon Promise and I liked the way that the story started--suspenseful, intriguing, with a lot of eyebrow-raising I-can't-believe-that-just-happened action.
The characters were colorful and memorable. Lucy's determination to be a strong and able helpmeet was endearing, as were the kids. Eileen and Jed were such fun to get to know.
What I Didn't Like As Much
At times the pace slowed and I would get confused or have to rifle back through the pages to realize where I was.
Also, the voices sometimes seemed to "jump" and I felt as if I had missed something in the way the characters rationalized their actions or conclusions. I didn't care for the way this prevented me from "connecting" with the characters sometimes...but over all, this book is a tension-filled story of two hearts thrown together and in the middle of two mysteries that threaten their love.
There was a lot going on in Blue Moon Promise and I liked the way that the story started--suspenseful, intriguing, with a lot of eyebrow-raising I-can't-believe-that-just-happened action.
The characters were colorful and memorable. Lucy's determination to be a strong and able helpmeet was endearing, as were the kids. Eileen and Jed were such fun to get to know.
What I Didn't Like As Much
At times the pace slowed and I would get confused or have to rifle back through the pages to realize where I was.
Also, the voices sometimes seemed to "jump" and I felt as if I had missed something in the way the characters rationalized their actions or conclusions. I didn't care for the way this prevented me from "connecting" with the characters sometimes...but over all, this book is a tension-filled story of two hearts thrown together and in the middle of two mysteries that threaten their love.
October 15, 2014
This book was fantastic. I am so glad I finally read it. Colleen Coble is a wonderful author and this book doesn't disappoint! View my full review on my blog.
August 9, 2015
I loved this book! Nate is so swoon worthy, handsome, and honorable. I fell in love with him. Lucy I loved her devotion to her younger brother and sister. She reminds me of myself. She looks out for those she loves. Also she is on rather the petite side, like me.
November 11, 2021
I read this in high school & couldn’t remember it. Turns out it’s pretty unremarkable & not worth remembering lol. It had potential but was bland.
July 28, 2018
This book was definitely very engaging and I enjoyed it immensely. Like the many other books by Colleen Coble that I've read, it was difficult to put down.
What I Liked: Oh, my! The character development in this book was amazing. I felt like I knew Nate and Lucy, along with Jed and Eileen, so well. The plotline was very interesting and even though it wasn't fast-paced action most of the time, it still kept me enthralled. The steady growth of the characters wasn't too slow, nor fast; it was just perfectly done. I was so sad to have to leave the characters at the end of the story.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the message of this story and it greatly encouraged me. Lucy Marsh feels that she needs to somehow prove that she is worthy, to earn others' respect, and she was trying so hard it was hurting her relationship with God and her family. She hadn't yet realized that she had already won the respect of her husband and family and that they loved her no matter what. I was encouraged/reminded that there is no way I can possibly earn God's love. It is freely given and to be humbly and gratefully received by me.
I feel like there is way more I can say about this book, but I really don't know what to say. It was just a purely delightful book to read and I can't wait to read the second book in this series, Safe in His Arms.
What I Didn't Like: There wasn't anything in particular that I just really disliked. I would recommend this book only to those older readers, as there are some topics discussed that would not be appropriate for younger readers. I'd probably recommend it to ages 18+.
I give this book 5 stars for a very enjoyable, endearing read!
What I Liked: Oh, my! The character development in this book was amazing. I felt like I knew Nate and Lucy, along with Jed and Eileen, so well. The plotline was very interesting and even though it wasn't fast-paced action most of the time, it still kept me enthralled. The steady growth of the characters wasn't too slow, nor fast; it was just perfectly done. I was so sad to have to leave the characters at the end of the story.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the message of this story and it greatly encouraged me. Lucy Marsh feels that she needs to somehow prove that she is worthy, to earn others' respect, and she was trying so hard it was hurting her relationship with God and her family. She hadn't yet realized that she had already won the respect of her husband and family and that they loved her no matter what. I was encouraged/reminded that there is no way I can possibly earn God's love. It is freely given and to be humbly and gratefully received by me.
I feel like there is way more I can say about this book, but I really don't know what to say. It was just a purely delightful book to read and I can't wait to read the second book in this series, Safe in His Arms.
What I Didn't Like: There wasn't anything in particular that I just really disliked. I would recommend this book only to those older readers, as there are some topics discussed that would not be appropriate for younger readers. I'd probably recommend it to ages 18+.
I give this book 5 stars for a very enjoyable, endearing read!
October 9, 2020
Ergh. This seems to happen to me a lot. I'll read one book by an author and love it. Then, all excited, I read another. But this time, I don't love it.
Yup.
So, here we are with my review of Ms. Coble's book. Now, before I go off, I will say that I'm not done with her as an author. I will be trying more of her books and see if this turns out to be a Klassen situation, where for every three I read, I love one.
Anywho, the premise for this book I was totally down for. Arranged marriage. Sight unseen marriage. Heck yeah. Give it all to me. Set in Texas. Give me love in wide open spaces. But, what I got was a weirdly complicated side plot to the romance that didn't seem to be related in any way until the end and it suddenly was. Half the things going on in this book didn't need to be there. The two main characters falling in love and becoming accustomed to the other--that was enough. Maybe some typical cattle range problems and we're good.
However, that's not what I got. And, once again, as always, I know I'm in the minority of reviews here.
Oh well.
Yup.
So, here we are with my review of Ms. Coble's book. Now, before I go off, I will say that I'm not done with her as an author. I will be trying more of her books and see if this turns out to be a Klassen situation, where for every three I read, I love one.
Anywho, the premise for this book I was totally down for. Arranged marriage. Sight unseen marriage. Heck yeah. Give it all to me. Set in Texas. Give me love in wide open spaces. But, what I got was a weirdly complicated side plot to the romance that didn't seem to be related in any way until the end and it suddenly was. Half the things going on in this book didn't need to be there. The two main characters falling in love and becoming accustomed to the other--that was enough. Maybe some typical cattle range problems and we're good.
However, that's not what I got. And, once again, as always, I know I'm in the minority of reviews here.
Oh well.
October 23, 2024
Lucy's story was touching, her parents passed away and she is in charge of her little brother and her little sister. She moves to Texas after agreeing to a proxy marriage.
Nate surprise was huge when he learnt what his father did, but little by little his heart softens regarding lucy and her siblings.
Though Lucy was very courageous she was also indecisive and very controlling throughout the story until she learnt to let go and realize that she did not have to earn people's love, she was loved by God and her husband.
I really liked listening to the Audiobook, it's a good story, I'll read the other book in of the serie.
Nate surprise was huge when he learnt what his father did, but little by little his heart softens regarding lucy and her siblings.
Though Lucy was very courageous she was also indecisive and very controlling throughout the story until she learnt to let go and realize that she did not have to earn people's love, she was loved by God and her husband.
I really liked listening to the Audiobook, it's a good story, I'll read the other book in of the serie.
July 19, 2021
I was a little skeptical at first, but I ended up loving this book. It was something different for me. It was a mix of Christian and Historical fiction.
Lucy is the oldest sister and is responsible for her two younger siblings. They are running out of money so Lucy decides to accept an arranged marriage to a man named Nate. This book describes Lucy and her siblings trying to get to know her new husband, learn to trust him, and ingrain themselves in his life.
It was a nice cute story that kept my attention.
Lucy is the oldest sister and is responsible for her two younger siblings. They are running out of money so Lucy decides to accept an arranged marriage to a man named Nate. This book describes Lucy and her siblings trying to get to know her new husband, learn to trust him, and ingrain themselves in his life.
It was a nice cute story that kept my attention.
September 29, 2019
This was a quick read with plenty of excitement in Coble’s fashion. I enjoyed the forced marriage and how it ended up working for them (sometimes I wish that could be real life). The siblings and the father were fun characters. I also appreciated the main character’s flaws. Overall it was a fun fast book. If you like cowboys and arranged marriage stories this won’t disappoint.
December 2, 2020
Interesting mystery. The qualm I had with Lucy, the protagonist, was her frequent voicing of her insecurity as well as voicing her control issues which I did not find apparent in the story. She was also instrumental in causing the heart attack symptoms of her father in law during an unnecessary argument.
June 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. It grabbed me from the first few pages and Lucy’s story drew me in pretty much immediately. I couldn’t wait to find out how it would all turn out and how the mysteries within the story would play out. Good and interesting read!
July 1, 2017
I liked this book despite the criticism of some people. Just had fun reading it, yes there were parts far fetched and probably some that could have been left out. But I liked the way things came together the ah ha moments good
I really like the frontier /western genre throw in that mail order bride and you have me
I really like the frontier /western genre throw in that mail order bride and you have me
April 8, 2020
YES YES YES 🙌
August 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this one . I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series !
December 7, 2022
My only complain was I wanted it to go on longer
September 10, 2025
I love Colleen Coble’s romanic suspense and this historical suspense novel was also enjoyable.
With a twist on an Isaac and Rebecca type of wedding, the characters had to endure challenges of getting to know each other, trusting each other and learning to assume the best.
Henry was a difficult character for me. I did not know if I wanted to like or dislike him. He will act in a lovable way but then make horrible choices due to his love for money.
Still a story to add to your TBR of you enjoy western historicals with a dash of suspense.
With a twist on an Isaac and Rebecca type of wedding, the characters had to endure challenges of getting to know each other, trusting each other and learning to assume the best.
Henry was a difficult character for me. I did not know if I wanted to like or dislike him. He will act in a lovable way but then make horrible choices due to his love for money.
Still a story to add to your TBR of you enjoy western historicals with a dash of suspense.
April 3, 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this since I enjoyed several of Colleen Coble’s other books. I also really like historical fiction – although if you want to get literal the only historical part about this book is that it takes place in the past (lots of books are like that actually) and I enjoy reading marriage of convenience stories. Blue Moon Promise takes place in 19th century Texas and is a marriage of convenience story.
But, while it’s a good story and I enjoyed it while reading it, I didn’t love it and I’ve been putting off writing the review. (So much so that it’s now two days overdue and I need to return it today.) It’s a lot easier to write a review of something when you enjoyed it or when something really stood out to you. It’s a good book, it just didn’t shine like I hoped it would.
Back of the book summary:
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 provide 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.
Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense…immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.
My opinions:
Colleen Coble did a good job weaving an intricate mystery into the story. Lucy is running from someone who wishes to harm her but she doesn’t know who or why. Nate also is being threatened by someone but can’t prove his suspicions. Jed, Lucy’s little brother, is holding in secrets his father asked him to keep and is plagued by the black hole in his memory of the night that their father died.
Are tarantulas common in Texas? I was discussing Nate’s pet spider with a blogging friend and she made me realize that just about every single one of Colleen’s books set in Texas mentions those icky, huge creatures. Lucy’s fear of those spiders made me think of a friend and my sister who both abhor spiders; Nate was very kind and removed his pet from the premise and cleared the attic of them for Lucy.
The romance between Lucy and Nate took it’s time but was very sweet. There were a few kisses and nothing else. I enjoyed the lessons Lucy and Nate learned about trust, God and love. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) In a note to the reader the author said she had been learning the same lessons about trusting God and allowing him to direct her path that she had Lucy learn in the book. God is in control. We can’t control everything and everybody.
Originally posted on my blog: http://rinasreading.blogspot.com/2012...
But, while it’s a good story and I enjoyed it while reading it, I didn’t love it and I’ve been putting off writing the review. (So much so that it’s now two days overdue and I need to return it today.) It’s a lot easier to write a review of something when you enjoyed it or when something really stood out to you. It’s a good book, it just didn’t shine like I hoped it would.
Back of the book summary:
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 provide 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.
Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense…immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.
My opinions:
Colleen Coble did a good job weaving an intricate mystery into the story. Lucy is running from someone who wishes to harm her but she doesn’t know who or why. Nate also is being threatened by someone but can’t prove his suspicions. Jed, Lucy’s little brother, is holding in secrets his father asked him to keep and is plagued by the black hole in his memory of the night that their father died.
Are tarantulas common in Texas? I was discussing Nate’s pet spider with a blogging friend and she made me realize that just about every single one of Colleen’s books set in Texas mentions those icky, huge creatures. Lucy’s fear of those spiders made me think of a friend and my sister who both abhor spiders; Nate was very kind and removed his pet from the premise and cleared the attic of them for Lucy.
The romance between Lucy and Nate took it’s time but was very sweet. There were a few kisses and nothing else. I enjoyed the lessons Lucy and Nate learned about trust, God and love. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) In a note to the reader the author said she had been learning the same lessons about trusting God and allowing him to direct her path that she had Lucy learn in the book. God is in control. We can’t control everything and everybody.
Originally posted on my blog: http://rinasreading.blogspot.com/2012...
June 11, 2012
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 Wichita Falls, Texas, where the man she came to marry seems surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide 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 realizes he’d give anything to protect Lucy and the children he’s grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is an interesting novel filled with love, dreams, and danger that I heartily enjoyed. The plot line of the novel was clear and intriguing. While at times it seemed to be just the typical plot of a western romance, the winding strands of suspense and mystery soon developed the book into so much more. I enjoyed the wild twists, the hilarious encounters of Lucy with ranching life, and the budding feelings between Nate and Lucy. The story was an excellent mix of mystery, romance, and family that kept me deeply engrossed in the story.
The characters were equally as charming. Nate was my all time favorite character. His hidden love and kindness enfolded throughout the novel, and his utter confusion about Lucy was adorable. Lucy was also a sweet and engaging character. Her stubbornness led to some interesting situations, and her desire to see her extended family united was admirable. I loved seeing her and Nate interact.
The themes of the novel were clear and important. These themes included the importance of love, forgiveness, relying on God instead of one's own strength, and honesty.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I would highly recommend Blue Moon Promise and any of Colleen Coble's other works.
I received this eBook for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
See other reviews at http://hearttohearbooks.blogspot.com
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 realizes he’d give anything to protect Lucy and the children he’s grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is an interesting novel filled with love, dreams, and danger that I heartily enjoyed. The plot line of the novel was clear and intriguing. While at times it seemed to be just the typical plot of a western romance, the winding strands of suspense and mystery soon developed the book into so much more. I enjoyed the wild twists, the hilarious encounters of Lucy with ranching life, and the budding feelings between Nate and Lucy. The story was an excellent mix of mystery, romance, and family that kept me deeply engrossed in the story.
The characters were equally as charming. Nate was my all time favorite character. His hidden love and kindness enfolded throughout the novel, and his utter confusion about Lucy was adorable. Lucy was also a sweet and engaging character. Her stubbornness led to some interesting situations, and her desire to see her extended family united was admirable. I loved seeing her and Nate interact.
The themes of the novel were clear and important. These themes included the importance of love, forgiveness, relying on God instead of one's own strength, and honesty.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I would highly recommend Blue Moon Promise and any of Colleen Coble's other works.
I received this eBook for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
See other reviews at http://hearttohearbooks.blogspot.com
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