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Cowgirl Trail
Cowgirl Trail is part of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book book can be read on its own.
In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
301 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2012
About the author
Susan Page Davis
176 books525 followersFROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: I'm a native of central Maine, and grew up on a small farm with a wonderful mom and dad, three sisters and a brother. Most of my books take place in small towns, many of them in Maine.
My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!
Our children are all home-schooled. When Jim retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, we moved from Maine to Kentucky.
I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books.
Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.
For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!
Our children are all home-schooled. When Jim retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, we moved from Maine to Kentucky.
I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books.
Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.
For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 12, 2015
Talk about female empowerment! Maggie is a strong daughter raised on a cattle ranch stuck between a rock and a hard place. She wants her father to appease the cowhands to prevent a strike, but his pride and hidden financial troubles won't allow him to give in. Alex is also caught in the middle as the ranch foreman, but while Maggie's family loyalty places her on her father's side, Alex strikes with the men and loses not only his job but a chance to win Maggie's heart. Since the cowhands from the surrounding ranches have already left on cattle drives, the only people Maggie can turn to are the women of the community, her friends who are also tough western gals :) Alex and Maggie's friendship suffers from the rivalry of the strike, but I loved that he ultimately places her safety and well-being over any bitter feelings. He completely redeems himself in my opinion. Maggie is completely humbled by her experiences and with some sage advice from her right-hand cowgirl Carlotta, softens her heart and allows forgiveness to bring peace during troubled times. Recommended for fans of Mary Connealy's The Husband Tree.
(Thank you to River North Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to River North Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
March 15, 2012
This story is a true western novel for women. Maggie, daughter of the owner of the Rocking P ranch, has to head up the cattle drive for the ranch after her secret crush, Alex, and his men go on strike. Mishaps and triumphs happen along the drive, taking the reader on a true cattle drive. Faith is questioned and lives are changed.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
March 12, 2012
Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis
Texas Trails: A Morgan Family Series Book 5
This is the 5th book in a six book series written by three different authors. In Cowgirl Trail we find that the cowpunchers on Rocking P Ranch are wanting to strike. Mr. Porter won't let them have a few head of cattle like he had in the past and he refuses to raise their pay. Alex Bright is caught between loyalty to his boss and the men. And mostly Alex's heart. Maggie Porter has just returned home after two years. As the ranch foreman now, Alex was hoping she'd notice him in a more personal way. Like he noticed her. The way things were going it looked like any hope between them was being torn away. After a cold hearted decision by Martin Porter the choice is made to strike.
Maggie Porter thought that maybe her feelings she had for Alex since she was thirteen were only a young girls crush, but now as a young woman she knows they are true. Only he won't stand up to the men for her dad and her dad has issues that he is too proud to share with his men, thus leading up to this turmoil. When everything seems to be falling apart, Maggie and her friend Carlotta decide they will get a group of Cowgirl's to round up the rest of the cattle and to drive them to Fort Worth.
At this point in history the cattle drive is not as far. They need to get to Fort Worth and the train delivers them the rest of the way. There still are dangers and with growth in the area they are not as free to travel over land like the old days. But the threat of the Indian's no longer existed. Another exciting adventure in this series. Alex is the son of Billie and Ned Bright. Billie's story is in the second book. She had been kidnapped by the Indian's as a young girl and not found until she was quite a bit older.
If you enjoy adventures, check out Susan's other books. She has a great series that takes you on a journey down the Oregon Trail. I find her writing to be descriptive enough that I feel I have been in the wagon train or on the cattle drive.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
Texas Trails: A Morgan Family Series Book 5
This is the 5th book in a six book series written by three different authors. In Cowgirl Trail we find that the cowpunchers on Rocking P Ranch are wanting to strike. Mr. Porter won't let them have a few head of cattle like he had in the past and he refuses to raise their pay. Alex Bright is caught between loyalty to his boss and the men. And mostly Alex's heart. Maggie Porter has just returned home after two years. As the ranch foreman now, Alex was hoping she'd notice him in a more personal way. Like he noticed her. The way things were going it looked like any hope between them was being torn away. After a cold hearted decision by Martin Porter the choice is made to strike.
Maggie Porter thought that maybe her feelings she had for Alex since she was thirteen were only a young girls crush, but now as a young woman she knows they are true. Only he won't stand up to the men for her dad and her dad has issues that he is too proud to share with his men, thus leading up to this turmoil. When everything seems to be falling apart, Maggie and her friend Carlotta decide they will get a group of Cowgirl's to round up the rest of the cattle and to drive them to Fort Worth.
At this point in history the cattle drive is not as far. They need to get to Fort Worth and the train delivers them the rest of the way. There still are dangers and with growth in the area they are not as free to travel over land like the old days. But the threat of the Indian's no longer existed. Another exciting adventure in this series. Alex is the son of Billie and Ned Bright. Billie's story is in the second book. She had been kidnapped by the Indian's as a young girl and not found until she was quite a bit older.
If you enjoy adventures, check out Susan's other books. She has a great series that takes you on a journey down the Oregon Trail. I find her writing to be descriptive enough that I feel I have been in the wagon train or on the cattle drive.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
July 12, 2025
I really enjoyed Maggie’s story. I really liked her determination and willingness to do whatever it takes to care for her family. All the characters surrounding her were great too.
August 6, 2012
Maggie Porter has grown up on the Rocking P Ranch and has come to love everything there is to about ranching, from riding horses, roping and driving cattle. As a young girl at 13, she had developed a school girl crush for ranch-hand Alex Bright because he didn't treat her any different because she was the bosses daughter.
Now that she has returned to the Rocking P as an older women, she wonders if that same crush exists and she can't wait to see Alex again. When she arrives home on the ranch, she learns Alex has been promoted as foreman, but even though her heart continues to chase after Alex, she finds out that things on the ranch aren't running as smoothly as her father would like. Maggie returns home after a long stay from helping her ill mother at the sanatorium and later attending her funeral, she finds her father isn't his usual self. She believes he is taking her mother's grief harder than she expected and learns that he has relinquished most of the ranch's task to Alex instead of being there on hand to help.
Maggie learns from Alex that most of the men are considering striking against the Rocking P, since her father has taken back some of the benefits they used to have working for him, from herding their own cattle on the ranch, to basic help in maintaining the bunkhouses and they haven't had a pay raise in ten years. Things get worse when Leo, one of the ranch hands is injured and her father refuses to help. He tells Leo that his wife will have to take him to town to see a doctor because he can't spare any men. That leaves Leo's wife, Sela to have to manage with an infant and leave her three young boys in the care of Dolores, the housekeeper. But when her father learns of this, he dismisses the boys and Sela to town because he can't afford to help them manage their family affairs on the ranch.
This places Maggie and Alex in the middle as Alex attempts to keep the men working on the ranch at least til they finish the cattle drive and they can get paid, while Maggie tries in vain to find out what is going on with the change in her father. It goes against how he has managed the ranch up to this point and if they can't reach a compromise, the ranch will fail.
In the novel, Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis, the reader is transported back to Brady, Texas during the late 1800's for a look at what it takes to manage and run a large cattle ranch and how people made a living back then, either running a ranch or helping to maintain it. I feel for Maggie Porter, because as a daughter she is stuck between her loyalty to her father and toward helping the men when she feels her father is out of line. Will she be able to help them all find a compromise or will the ranch be lost along with her dreams of falling in love with Alex?
I received Cowgirl Trail compliments of Moody Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review and being a huge fan of Christian Western Romances, I absolutely loved this one. Susan Page Davis creates a different type of conflict and the way she has Maggie attempt to handle this as the only child of the Rocking P is brilliant and virtually unheard of in most western fictional books but one that works well in this one. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and shows the strength that can be required of us when faced with challenging and difficult situations if we are willing to look to God for answers! This is book 5 in the Texas Trails series and one I've really enjoyed if you love westerns!!
Now that she has returned to the Rocking P as an older women, she wonders if that same crush exists and she can't wait to see Alex again. When she arrives home on the ranch, she learns Alex has been promoted as foreman, but even though her heart continues to chase after Alex, she finds out that things on the ranch aren't running as smoothly as her father would like. Maggie returns home after a long stay from helping her ill mother at the sanatorium and later attending her funeral, she finds her father isn't his usual self. She believes he is taking her mother's grief harder than she expected and learns that he has relinquished most of the ranch's task to Alex instead of being there on hand to help.
Maggie learns from Alex that most of the men are considering striking against the Rocking P, since her father has taken back some of the benefits they used to have working for him, from herding their own cattle on the ranch, to basic help in maintaining the bunkhouses and they haven't had a pay raise in ten years. Things get worse when Leo, one of the ranch hands is injured and her father refuses to help. He tells Leo that his wife will have to take him to town to see a doctor because he can't spare any men. That leaves Leo's wife, Sela to have to manage with an infant and leave her three young boys in the care of Dolores, the housekeeper. But when her father learns of this, he dismisses the boys and Sela to town because he can't afford to help them manage their family affairs on the ranch.
This places Maggie and Alex in the middle as Alex attempts to keep the men working on the ranch at least til they finish the cattle drive and they can get paid, while Maggie tries in vain to find out what is going on with the change in her father. It goes against how he has managed the ranch up to this point and if they can't reach a compromise, the ranch will fail.
In the novel, Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis, the reader is transported back to Brady, Texas during the late 1800's for a look at what it takes to manage and run a large cattle ranch and how people made a living back then, either running a ranch or helping to maintain it. I feel for Maggie Porter, because as a daughter she is stuck between her loyalty to her father and toward helping the men when she feels her father is out of line. Will she be able to help them all find a compromise or will the ranch be lost along with her dreams of falling in love with Alex?
I received Cowgirl Trail compliments of Moody Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review and being a huge fan of Christian Western Romances, I absolutely loved this one. Susan Page Davis creates a different type of conflict and the way she has Maggie attempt to handle this as the only child of the Rocking P is brilliant and virtually unheard of in most western fictional books but one that works well in this one. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and shows the strength that can be required of us when faced with challenging and difficult situations if we are willing to look to God for answers! This is book 5 in the Texas Trails series and one I've really enjoyed if you love westerns!!
November 6, 2013
When Maggie Porter returns home after a two year absence she expects to find all things are doing well only to find out the bills are piling up from her mother's prolonged illness and her father is dying from cancer. Suddenly Maggie finds herself in charge. When the ranch hands go on strike because of poor wages, Maggie is faced with the task of getting the cattle to market and saving their home. Maggie had loved their ranch foreman, Alex Bright, since she was thirteen, but when he walks off the job with the other hands, she is afraid her chances with him are permanently severed. Maggie knows that getting the cattle to market is a priority but where will she find enough cowpunchers to help her complete the task? Her best friend Carlotta Herrera suggests they have an all-girl cattle drive. With the help from her friends, Maggie sets out to save her family's home. Little does she know that Alex and a few of the men are following at a distance in case trouble erupts. Can this bunch of cowgirls complete their task? Will she set aside her suspicions of Alex and welcome him back into her life and home?
Alex Bright had worked for the Rocking P Ranch for seven years and he had loved Maggie Porter since the early days when he used to take her riding. When his ranch hands feel their boss is being unfair Alex finds himself caught in the middle. Should he remain loyal to Maggie's father or stand by his men? Torn between what he feels is right and his love for Maggie, Alex goes on strike with his men but he can't stop worrying about Maggie and the fix it puts her in. When he discovers that her "hired hands" consists of the women in the area he knows he must follow her on the cattle drive and see her safely to the market. Regardless of how her father treated them in the end, he loves Maggie and refuses to turn his back on her. When a disgruntled ranch hand wants revenge it's Alex and a few of the loyal men that ride in to save the day. But can he work his way back into Maggie's heart and life? Or has his bridges been burned?
I knew when I read the blurb for this book I was going to love it and I wasn't disappointed. I love a spitfire heroine that knows how to be tough in tough situations and Maggie was spot-on. She knew what had to be done and she took the lead and followed through. Alex was the kind of hero you fall in love with. He was honest, faithful and loyal to the core. I really felt how torn he was between his boss and his men and I loved the way he took care of Maggie when she didn't even have a clue. The storyline was amazing from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyable. I didn't want to put it down. The characters were perfect from the most prevalent to the least. This was my first book by Susan Page Davis but it definitely won't be my last. She is an author to add to your favorites list and if you haven't read the other books in this series you will want to after reading Cowgirl Trail. Excellent story and I highly recommend it to anyone that likes historical western romance.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers for my honest review. The opinions stated are mine and mine alone and I received no monetary compensation.
Alex Bright had worked for the Rocking P Ranch for seven years and he had loved Maggie Porter since the early days when he used to take her riding. When his ranch hands feel their boss is being unfair Alex finds himself caught in the middle. Should he remain loyal to Maggie's father or stand by his men? Torn between what he feels is right and his love for Maggie, Alex goes on strike with his men but he can't stop worrying about Maggie and the fix it puts her in. When he discovers that her "hired hands" consists of the women in the area he knows he must follow her on the cattle drive and see her safely to the market. Regardless of how her father treated them in the end, he loves Maggie and refuses to turn his back on her. When a disgruntled ranch hand wants revenge it's Alex and a few of the loyal men that ride in to save the day. But can he work his way back into Maggie's heart and life? Or has his bridges been burned?
I knew when I read the blurb for this book I was going to love it and I wasn't disappointed. I love a spitfire heroine that knows how to be tough in tough situations and Maggie was spot-on. She knew what had to be done and she took the lead and followed through. Alex was the kind of hero you fall in love with. He was honest, faithful and loyal to the core. I really felt how torn he was between his boss and his men and I loved the way he took care of Maggie when she didn't even have a clue. The storyline was amazing from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyable. I didn't want to put it down. The characters were perfect from the most prevalent to the least. This was my first book by Susan Page Davis but it definitely won't be my last. She is an author to add to your favorites list and if you haven't read the other books in this series you will want to after reading Cowgirl Trail. Excellent story and I highly recommend it to anyone that likes historical western romance.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers for my honest review. The opinions stated are mine and mine alone and I received no monetary compensation.
July 29, 2012
Susan Page Davis in her new book, “Cowgirl Trail” Book five in The Texas Trail Series published by River North Fiction Division of Moody Publishers takes us back to Texas in 1884.
From the Back Cover: A young woman determined to save the family ranch
A devastating loss
An answer to prayer as shots are fired
Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father’s health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch. To everyone’s surprise, she turns to the town’s women for help. The cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
Doubt meets hope, and fear gives way to faith in the Morgan family.
Do you remember the old Television series, “Rawhide”? Every week we were treated to a new adventure about cattle drivers or “drovers” as they were called on a cattle drive. In “Cowgirl Trail” Susan Page Davis has given us a distaff episode of “Rawhide”. This book is a lot of fun. The men want to go on strike right at market time. The ranch is in debt and needs the revenue the cattle sale will bring but what to do without the cowboys? Maggie has a lot of women friends who are daughters or wives of ranchers and who know their way around a horse. So she rounds them up for the drive to Fort Worth. If the men will not do their job the women will just have to do it for them. “Cowgirl Trail” is another romance set against the backdrop of Texas. Susan Page Davis takes up the story of the Morgan family that she began in the second book, “Captive Trail” as Alex is the son of those two main characters. Me, I really like Westerns and Ms. Davis really knows how to write a Western. If you enjoy history like I do then this book is for you. Ms. Davis really makes you feel the heat and the dust and the danger. Every one of her characters seem to come alive and it is like actually being there in Texas with them. “Cowgirl Trail” continues being all about families and relationships and that is what makes this book a winner. I enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to the next one.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from at Wynn-Wynn Media for this review. 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.”
From the Back Cover: A young woman determined to save the family ranch
A devastating loss
An answer to prayer as shots are fired
Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father’s health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch. To everyone’s surprise, she turns to the town’s women for help. The cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
Doubt meets hope, and fear gives way to faith in the Morgan family.
Do you remember the old Television series, “Rawhide”? Every week we were treated to a new adventure about cattle drivers or “drovers” as they were called on a cattle drive. In “Cowgirl Trail” Susan Page Davis has given us a distaff episode of “Rawhide”. This book is a lot of fun. The men want to go on strike right at market time. The ranch is in debt and needs the revenue the cattle sale will bring but what to do without the cowboys? Maggie has a lot of women friends who are daughters or wives of ranchers and who know their way around a horse. So she rounds them up for the drive to Fort Worth. If the men will not do their job the women will just have to do it for them. “Cowgirl Trail” is another romance set against the backdrop of Texas. Susan Page Davis takes up the story of the Morgan family that she began in the second book, “Captive Trail” as Alex is the son of those two main characters. Me, I really like Westerns and Ms. Davis really knows how to write a Western. If you enjoy history like I do then this book is for you. Ms. Davis really makes you feel the heat and the dust and the danger. Every one of her characters seem to come alive and it is like actually being there in Texas with them. “Cowgirl Trail” continues being all about families and relationships and that is what makes this book a winner. I enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to the next one.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from at Wynn-Wynn Media for this review. 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.”
August 1, 2012
Cowgirl Trail is the fifth book in Texas Trails: A Morgan Family Series. The connection to the rest of the series is subtle so this book works very well as a standalone yet still holds its place with the other stories.
Maggie Porter has been away from the Rocking P Ranch, helping to care for her mother in a sanatorium. After her mother passes away, Maggie returns to find her home in turmoil.
The cowboys threaten to strike after some harsh and arbitrary decisions by her father. Alex Bright, the foreman, tries to mediate the dispute but can’t understand Mr. Porter’s obstinate attitude. The men walk off and, conflicted by divided loyalties, Alex reluctantly joins them.
Maggie and Alex have been sweet on each other and, in the beginning, both look forward to Maggie’s return. This relationship is strained to the breaking point when Maggie holds Alex responsible for not keeping the men on the job at a crucial time.
Maggie learns that her father is facing huge bills from the sanatorium and may lose the ranch. This is why he could not negotiate with the cowboys. He is also dying of cancer and the pain has affected his judgment.
To pay the bills, the cattle need to be rounded up and driven to market. With her own cowboys gone and none available from other ranches, Maggie recruits women from the nearby town and surrounding ranches to get the cattle to market.
Alex and some of the other cowboys follow. Alex wants to keep an eye on Maggie. Some of the others, however, look for opportunities to harass the women and show the need for Porter to meet their demands. One prank ends up costing Maggie more money than she can spare. When she learns who pulled the prank, she accuses Alex of being part of it, severing their relationship.
Other cowboys have more sinister plans to disrupt the drive and steal the cattle. They start a stampede. When Maggie sees Alex riding among the herd, she believes he is part of the group looking to take her property away.
Maggie eventually learns Alex was trying to stop the stampede at the risk of his own life and he had nothing to do with the expensive prank. She realizes he was doing his best for her, her father, and the ranch.
As always, Susan Page Davis presents an exciting and tense story with enough twists and intriguing characters to keep you turning pages. She provides the right amount of detail to give authenticity but doesn’t overwhelm you with myriad facts just to show off her research.
You are with the women on the cattle drive, sleeping on the hard ground, enduring the boredom and routine, burning the hide of a calf with a hot iron, and enduring the danger and excitement of a stampede.
The women are believable in their roles. The minor characters add just the right amount of humor, insight into the major characters, and tension.
Maggie and Alex are two people in love but struggling with inner conflicts and loyalties that present major stumbling blocks to the relationship. You are wondering until the very end if they will make it.
If you enjoy historical romance, this will be a most satisfying read.
Maggie Porter has been away from the Rocking P Ranch, helping to care for her mother in a sanatorium. After her mother passes away, Maggie returns to find her home in turmoil.
The cowboys threaten to strike after some harsh and arbitrary decisions by her father. Alex Bright, the foreman, tries to mediate the dispute but can’t understand Mr. Porter’s obstinate attitude. The men walk off and, conflicted by divided loyalties, Alex reluctantly joins them.
Maggie and Alex have been sweet on each other and, in the beginning, both look forward to Maggie’s return. This relationship is strained to the breaking point when Maggie holds Alex responsible for not keeping the men on the job at a crucial time.
Maggie learns that her father is facing huge bills from the sanatorium and may lose the ranch. This is why he could not negotiate with the cowboys. He is also dying of cancer and the pain has affected his judgment.
To pay the bills, the cattle need to be rounded up and driven to market. With her own cowboys gone and none available from other ranches, Maggie recruits women from the nearby town and surrounding ranches to get the cattle to market.
Alex and some of the other cowboys follow. Alex wants to keep an eye on Maggie. Some of the others, however, look for opportunities to harass the women and show the need for Porter to meet their demands. One prank ends up costing Maggie more money than she can spare. When she learns who pulled the prank, she accuses Alex of being part of it, severing their relationship.
Other cowboys have more sinister plans to disrupt the drive and steal the cattle. They start a stampede. When Maggie sees Alex riding among the herd, she believes he is part of the group looking to take her property away.
Maggie eventually learns Alex was trying to stop the stampede at the risk of his own life and he had nothing to do with the expensive prank. She realizes he was doing his best for her, her father, and the ranch.
As always, Susan Page Davis presents an exciting and tense story with enough twists and intriguing characters to keep you turning pages. She provides the right amount of detail to give authenticity but doesn’t overwhelm you with myriad facts just to show off her research.
You are with the women on the cattle drive, sleeping on the hard ground, enduring the boredom and routine, burning the hide of a calf with a hot iron, and enduring the danger and excitement of a stampede.
The women are believable in their roles. The minor characters add just the right amount of humor, insight into the major characters, and tension.
Maggie and Alex are two people in love but struggling with inner conflicts and loyalties that present major stumbling blocks to the relationship. You are wondering until the very end if they will make it.
If you enjoy historical romance, this will be a most satisfying read.
February 25, 2014
Book Review: Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis
Cowgirl Trail
“I received this book from Moody Publishers for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own.”
Cowgirl Trail is book 5 in the series called The Texas Trails. The Texas Trails books are all about a member in the Morgan family as they travel through the generations. Most of the family members are mentioned in this book, and some even come to visit at the end, but any of these books can be read as a stand alone.
Cowgirl Trail is about a young cowgirl named Maggie Porter and the foreman of her and her father’s ranch, Alex Bright*. Maggie and Alex have been in love with each other since they met but both of them think the other one hates them, so they have never really talked about anything other than the ranch.
After Maggie’s mother dies, the ranch starts going bankrupt, but Mr. Porter is too prideful to tell Maggie and takes out his anxiety on the ranch-hands, causing them to strike. On top of that, Maggie finds out that her father is dying from cancer and that he dreads leaving her a ranch with tons of debt and no workers, therefore adding to his stress.
Not wanting the cattle that the men left in holding pens to die of thirst, she rounds up a dozen or more women from her town to finish what the men started in the spring round-up. But she needs to figure out how to take them all the way to Fort Worth so she can sell them. With a herd of 1600 cattle, Maggie only has a dozen women willing to help her take these cattle on the trail that can last up to a month. But Alex and the men are mad because they were replaced by a bunch of girls in skirts, and the girls are actually handling the ranch as good as they were!
Will Maggie and her band of cowgirls be able to make it to the stockyards before the prices are too low or will a group of outlaws succeed in stampeding their herd so they loose more than they sell?
* Even though neither of the main characters name is Morgan, Alex’s mother is Billy Morgan and her story is book 2, Captive Trail, so Alex is the Morgan is this book!
I enjoyed reading this book, although it was pretty emotional with all the stuff her dad was keeping from her. It did have a good amount of action to match with the emotion, and also a bit of humor. Even though I liked this book, I probably won’t be reading it again any time soon, just because it didn’t hold my attention as long as I had anticipated.
Just a side note, from all the reviews and comments I have been reading, I have noticed that the order of these books have been kind of hard to figure out, so I am going to list the order of the books here:
Book 1: Lone Star Trail
Book 2: Captive Trail
Book 3: Long Trail Home
Book 4: A Ranger’s Trail
Book 5: Cowgirl Trail
and Book 6: End of the Trail
Thank y’all for reading!
October 18, 2013
About the Book:
Cowgirl Trail is part of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book book can be read on its own.
In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
About the Author:
Writing this book was a lot of fun, but also a great deal of hard work. I learned a lot about women on the cattle trails while doing my research. Captive Trail, my earlier book in this series, won the 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award in the Western Fiction category. I hope you enjoy this story of faith, forgiveness, and adventure.
My Review:
Maggie Porter's father owns Rocking P Ranch and he's always treated his ranch hands fairly. But since she's returned from a long trip he seems to barely even care about them. He isn't willing to up the ranch hands pay even though he took their cattle. This may just be the beginning of the end for the Rocking P. But Maggie is determined to fix all her father's wrongs and make everything right again. But things may not go as she had planned.
Alex Bright, the head ranch hand at the Rocking P, has known Maggie since she was 13 and is amazed that she is finely back home after being gone for so long. But now isn't the time for welcoming much less rejoicing, the ranch hands are talking about striking. Alex doesn't think that striking will do any good, so he tries to calm the men down. But soon something happens that causes even Alex to go against the boss. Will the Rocking P soon fall apart? Or can Maggie save it?
If you like books that are in a series then this is the series for you. The Texas Trail Series takes you through four generations of the Morgan family. It is a nice series, because you get to catch up on what is going on with this less than boring family. Written by multiple authors each book has different twists and turns that seem to always meet in the middle.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from MP Newsroom.
Cowgirl Trail is part of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book book can be read on its own.
In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?
Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?
About the Author:
Writing this book was a lot of fun, but also a great deal of hard work. I learned a lot about women on the cattle trails while doing my research. Captive Trail, my earlier book in this series, won the 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award in the Western Fiction category. I hope you enjoy this story of faith, forgiveness, and adventure.
My Review:
Maggie Porter's father owns Rocking P Ranch and he's always treated his ranch hands fairly. But since she's returned from a long trip he seems to barely even care about them. He isn't willing to up the ranch hands pay even though he took their cattle. This may just be the beginning of the end for the Rocking P. But Maggie is determined to fix all her father's wrongs and make everything right again. But things may not go as she had planned.
Alex Bright, the head ranch hand at the Rocking P, has known Maggie since she was 13 and is amazed that she is finely back home after being gone for so long. But now isn't the time for welcoming much less rejoicing, the ranch hands are talking about striking. Alex doesn't think that striking will do any good, so he tries to calm the men down. But soon something happens that causes even Alex to go against the boss. Will the Rocking P soon fall apart? Or can Maggie save it?
If you like books that are in a series then this is the series for you. The Texas Trail Series takes you through four generations of the Morgan family. It is a nice series, because you get to catch up on what is going on with this less than boring family. Written by multiple authors each book has different twists and turns that seem to always meet in the middle.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from MP Newsroom.
August 9, 2012
The unique concept of this tale is in the all-woman trail drive. I've read books where a woman or two might be along on the trip to Dodge or Abilene (or wherever) for one reason or another, but this is the first one I've read where all the drovers are female.
It's easy to sympathize with Maggie. She's had a rough couple of years and returns home to find the successful and well-respected ranch she left has fallen into somewhat of a shambles. Her father is nasty to his employees for seemingly no reason. The foreman, a man she's loved for years walks out on them in solidarity with the other cowboys in their strike. When she learns of her father's illness and neighboring ranchers can't loan her help, she's left with no choice but to round up her lady friends and take the cattle to the stockyards.
Alex is a sweet man who has no desire to turn against his employer and leave the woman he loves to join the men in their strike. But Porter's bad attitude and refusal to help those who've been loyal to him in the past cannot be tolerated. Still, when he discovers Maggie's plan, he won't let her go all the way to Ft. Worth without watching over her.
Trail drives were perilous trips for even the most experienced drover, but don't expect tear-jerking drama and nail-biting suspense in this one. Even if a number of the women involved grew up on cattle ranches, at times, they seemed more like a group of debutantes and greenhorns, which made it more difficult for me to believe in the success of their journey. However, this book wasn't so much about the trail drive as the relationships between the characters.
Cowgirl Trail certainly fits the bill when it comes to novels to enjoy. But it's neither deep in emotion nor complicated in plot. I recommend it for those times when you're looking for escapism, something to read when you want a few hours of cowboy fun and a little romance. And don't we all need that on occasion?
It's easy to sympathize with Maggie. She's had a rough couple of years and returns home to find the successful and well-respected ranch she left has fallen into somewhat of a shambles. Her father is nasty to his employees for seemingly no reason. The foreman, a man she's loved for years walks out on them in solidarity with the other cowboys in their strike. When she learns of her father's illness and neighboring ranchers can't loan her help, she's left with no choice but to round up her lady friends and take the cattle to the stockyards.
Alex is a sweet man who has no desire to turn against his employer and leave the woman he loves to join the men in their strike. But Porter's bad attitude and refusal to help those who've been loyal to him in the past cannot be tolerated. Still, when he discovers Maggie's plan, he won't let her go all the way to Ft. Worth without watching over her.
Trail drives were perilous trips for even the most experienced drover, but don't expect tear-jerking drama and nail-biting suspense in this one. Even if a number of the women involved grew up on cattle ranches, at times, they seemed more like a group of debutantes and greenhorns, which made it more difficult for me to believe in the success of their journey. However, this book wasn't so much about the trail drive as the relationships between the characters.
Cowgirl Trail certainly fits the bill when it comes to novels to enjoy. But it's neither deep in emotion nor complicated in plot. I recommend it for those times when you're looking for escapism, something to read when you want a few hours of cowboy fun and a little romance. And don't we all need that on occasion?
March 6, 2012
An authentic Western for the Rancher in all of us.
Maggie Porter return home from her travels after the death fo her mother, to find the ranch in peril, and the ranch hands on strike.
Who can Maggie trust? What is the truth?
Alex as the foreman, of the Rocking P Ranch is completely torn. Should he side with the workers who are being treated unfairly or with his unusually inconsiderate boss. If he sides with the men will he lose his shot for love with the boss's daughter, Maggie?
Cowgirls, Cowboys, Horses, Cattle, and wide open prairie. What more does a person need? As a girl who loves to spend her summers on a ranch, riding horses and herding cattle, I found Cowgirl Trail surprisingly authentic and relatable. Horses and Cattle are so easily spooked, and accidently leaving a few head behind is pretty much inevitable on a long drive, no matter how well you ride and plan it.
Wrapped inside this wonderfully western blanket, was a sweet romance between Maggie and Alex. And their choices were in my mind believable, and totally reasonable. I even found that I could relate alot of this story to what's going on in the ranching world today. The cost of running a ranch is going up all the time, add to that the emergency medical bills, and you've got a ranch at risk.
Overall, a well written tale, and actually the best of Ms. Davis' books that I've read so far :) A determined heroine, and a honorable hero, combined in a western atmosphere...And you've got a winner on your hands! Great for anyone who wants to have a good old fashioned western adventure.
Final Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. It was not required that my review be positive, but only that I state my honest opinion. Thanks :)
Maggie Porter return home from her travels after the death fo her mother, to find the ranch in peril, and the ranch hands on strike.
Who can Maggie trust? What is the truth?
Alex as the foreman, of the Rocking P Ranch is completely torn. Should he side with the workers who are being treated unfairly or with his unusually inconsiderate boss. If he sides with the men will he lose his shot for love with the boss's daughter, Maggie?
Cowgirls, Cowboys, Horses, Cattle, and wide open prairie. What more does a person need? As a girl who loves to spend her summers on a ranch, riding horses and herding cattle, I found Cowgirl Trail surprisingly authentic and relatable. Horses and Cattle are so easily spooked, and accidently leaving a few head behind is pretty much inevitable on a long drive, no matter how well you ride and plan it.
Wrapped inside this wonderfully western blanket, was a sweet romance between Maggie and Alex. And their choices were in my mind believable, and totally reasonable. I even found that I could relate alot of this story to what's going on in the ranching world today. The cost of running a ranch is going up all the time, add to that the emergency medical bills, and you've got a ranch at risk.
Overall, a well written tale, and actually the best of Ms. Davis' books that I've read so far :) A determined heroine, and a honorable hero, combined in a western atmosphere...And you've got a winner on your hands! Great for anyone who wants to have a good old fashioned western adventure.
Final Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. It was not required that my review be positive, but only that I state my honest opinion. Thanks :)
August 8, 2012
I’ve had this sitting in my to-read pile for months, and just never picked it up, possibly because it’s part of a series, and I haven’t read the earlier books. However, once I started, I found it hard to put down.
Maggie Porter first met Alex Bright in 1877, when he was a handsome new cowboy on her father’s ranch, the Rocking P, and she was a teenager with a crush. Seven years later, she has just returned to the ranch after the death of her mother, and finds that Alex is now the foreman, the workers are unhappy and her father is not himself. Maggie tries to help the workers, but when problems get worse, she finds herself working as a cowgirl, leading the annual roundup to save the ranch while hoping she can also save her relationship with Alex – and perhaps let it develop into something more.
There have been so many books written about the American West during the nineteenth century that there is often a sense of ‘read that before’ with these Christian westerns. Cowgirl Trail was original (the clue is in the title. It’s a book about cowgirls as well as cowboys). Although it is Christian fiction, the faith aspects are very understated. Unfortunately, so is the romance aspect, but it is still a very good read,
This is the fifth book in the Texas Trail series, which is unusual, in that two of the books are by Susan Page Davis, two by Darlene Franklin and two by Vickie McDonough. Although the books in the series are related, this can easily be read as a stand-alone (but if you wanted to read the whole series, you probably should start with Lone Star Trail). An original and enjoyable read.
Thanks to River North (an imprint of Moody Publishers) and NetGalley for providing a free book for review.
Maggie Porter first met Alex Bright in 1877, when he was a handsome new cowboy on her father’s ranch, the Rocking P, and she was a teenager with a crush. Seven years later, she has just returned to the ranch after the death of her mother, and finds that Alex is now the foreman, the workers are unhappy and her father is not himself. Maggie tries to help the workers, but when problems get worse, she finds herself working as a cowgirl, leading the annual roundup to save the ranch while hoping she can also save her relationship with Alex – and perhaps let it develop into something more.
There have been so many books written about the American West during the nineteenth century that there is often a sense of ‘read that before’ with these Christian westerns. Cowgirl Trail was original (the clue is in the title. It’s a book about cowgirls as well as cowboys). Although it is Christian fiction, the faith aspects are very understated. Unfortunately, so is the romance aspect, but it is still a very good read,
This is the fifth book in the Texas Trail series, which is unusual, in that two of the books are by Susan Page Davis, two by Darlene Franklin and two by Vickie McDonough. Although the books in the series are related, this can easily be read as a stand-alone (but if you wanted to read the whole series, you probably should start with Lone Star Trail). An original and enjoyable read.
Thanks to River North (an imprint of Moody Publishers) and NetGalley for providing a free book for review.
March 25, 2013
Cowgirl Trail is written by Susan Paige Davis. It’s the story of a ranch owner’s daughter and her journey to help her father and save her ranch. Maggie Porter’s father sank his savings and everything else he owns trying to pay off the medical bills of his late wife. He’s counting on the next cattle drive to alleviate some of the debt. The problem is, he doesn’t have the money to pay his cowboys the way he used to, but he’s too proud to tell them why and too proud to tell anyone that he’s dying of cancer. Thinking their boss has been replaced by a grumpy, unreasonable employer, the cowboys strike, including the foreman Alex Bright.
Knowing that the ranch’s only hope is to sell the cattle by the cattle drive, Maggie rounds up some young women to do the drive with her. Alex Bright has feelings for Maggie, and vice versa, and follows close behind in case of trouble. Along the way Maggie finds out and breaks down and tells him everything. After the successful cattle drive, Maggie and Alex return home to find her father barely hanging on. But they have exciting news for him: they’re getting married. So they start off their life together, determined to save the ranch.
Davis shows the strength of a young woman and her dedication to save her home from debt. She showed how Maggie refused to let her father stand alone during his rough times. I enjoyed how Maggie’s friends jumped at the chance to join the drive and help their friend.
Davis tried to show Maggie as a tough, no-nonsense girl, but she cried, in my opinion, much more than necessary. It seemed as though every time she had a serious conversation with one person, she would tear up at the least.
Knowing that the ranch’s only hope is to sell the cattle by the cattle drive, Maggie rounds up some young women to do the drive with her. Alex Bright has feelings for Maggie, and vice versa, and follows close behind in case of trouble. Along the way Maggie finds out and breaks down and tells him everything. After the successful cattle drive, Maggie and Alex return home to find her father barely hanging on. But they have exciting news for him: they’re getting married. So they start off their life together, determined to save the ranch.
Davis shows the strength of a young woman and her dedication to save her home from debt. She showed how Maggie refused to let her father stand alone during his rough times. I enjoyed how Maggie’s friends jumped at the chance to join the drive and help their friend.
Davis tried to show Maggie as a tough, no-nonsense girl, but she cried, in my opinion, much more than necessary. It seemed as though every time she had a serious conversation with one person, she would tear up at the least.
December 11, 2012
I was personally disappointed with this book. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE the way Susan P. Davis writes, and the characters she comes up with; (except for the fact that Maggie cried a little too much for my liking) yet I loved the times when Maggie was spunky! I think I would have liked Maggie's character more if I could relate to her (by this I mean if she where as tough as I hope I am and would be in these situations. Instead of tearing up every other page.) I did really enjoy the other characters especially Maggie's best friend. However no matter how much I WANTED to love this book, at the end of the day it was a let down. The pace was too slow to keep my attention for any long period of time. Part of the reason this isn't going on "My Favorite Books" list is mainly because I have lived on a ranch my entire life. More than half of that was raising cattle. I may not know all the facts about cattle ranches in 1884, but I do know that a lot of terms and facts where (frustratingly) incorrect. The first being calves don't "bleat", sheep do. Calves bawl. So if these issues don't bother you, and you didn't grow up around branding and ranching all your life, this may be a great book for you. But my honest opinion is that it left me wanting. :( I will be giving "Captive Trail" a chance though, because I REALLY do love Susan and her writing.
My songs for this book would have to be: "Standing On The Promises" by Alan Jackson and "I Keep On Lovin' You" by Reba
Psalms 119
~ASC
My songs for this book would have to be: "Standing On The Promises" by Alan Jackson and "I Keep On Lovin' You" by Reba
Psalms 119
~ASC
March 31, 2013
Series of Morgan Family, book#5 "Cowgirl Trail"by Susan Page Davis
I must say though I have not read any others in the series this was a delightful read...I am sure it would have been better had I read the whole series.
This book deals with papa being sick and being the strong man that he is he doesn't want anyone to know. His decisions about the ranch are not the best and many of the men are "fed up" and decide to strike...
Maggie has just came home and she is unaware of lot of things going on at the ranch but she can see papa needs help and decides she will be the one to help him.
When the men leave in the middle of round-up she rallies her friends and gets an all girl team to help her finish it...can you imagine this.
I think many thought it would an adventure and wanted to help their friend when they first agreed to help. Soon they found out this was a rough-tough job, Could they do it? you will love reading this story and how Maggie with a little help from her friends saves the "Rocking P Ranch", then learns that papa is dying and she will inherit.
Alex Bright, came to the ranch while a young boy and grew up working there and became foreman while Maggie was gone. He loves the ranch and the man that gave him a chance. Will he side with his men to strike or can he still help Maggie whom he admires for her attitude to the situation. Maggie had always had a soft spot for this young man, will it grow into love that will mature and last a lifetime?
come read this story of the Morgan Family..
I must say though I have not read any others in the series this was a delightful read...I am sure it would have been better had I read the whole series.
This book deals with papa being sick and being the strong man that he is he doesn't want anyone to know. His decisions about the ranch are not the best and many of the men are "fed up" and decide to strike...
Maggie has just came home and she is unaware of lot of things going on at the ranch but she can see papa needs help and decides she will be the one to help him.
When the men leave in the middle of round-up she rallies her friends and gets an all girl team to help her finish it...can you imagine this.
I think many thought it would an adventure and wanted to help their friend when they first agreed to help. Soon they found out this was a rough-tough job, Could they do it? you will love reading this story and how Maggie with a little help from her friends saves the "Rocking P Ranch", then learns that papa is dying and she will inherit.
Alex Bright, came to the ranch while a young boy and grew up working there and became foreman while Maggie was gone. He loves the ranch and the man that gave him a chance. Will he side with his men to strike or can he still help Maggie whom he admires for her attitude to the situation. Maggie had always had a soft spot for this young man, will it grow into love that will mature and last a lifetime?
come read this story of the Morgan Family..
August 6, 2012
In 1884, Maggie Porter thought loosing her mother to a terrible disease was unbearable. That is until she returns home to the Rocking P Ranch to find her father deathly ill and unable to care for the ranch. He had kept this a secret from almost everyone. The ranch hands were ready to strike leaving no one to drive the cattle to market.
How will Maggie pay bills and give the cowhands their wages? The head ranch hand Alex wants to help Maggie but he feels pressured to stand with the other ranch hands decision to strike.
So Maggie stands her ground and decides that some of her female friends are going to help her drive the cattle to market. The men are dumbfounded at this idea. No way did the men believe that a bunch of women would make it to market without their help. Can a group of women really handle themselves on a long cattle drive? You just might be surprised.
The author writes of death, sorrow, danger, excitement, adventure and humor. Oh,let's not for get about romance.
Who do you think will save the ranch, the cowgirls or the cowboys?
This is another wonderful read in this series and only one more book to go.
I highly recommend this book.
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/Moody Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.
How will Maggie pay bills and give the cowhands their wages? The head ranch hand Alex wants to help Maggie but he feels pressured to stand with the other ranch hands decision to strike.
So Maggie stands her ground and decides that some of her female friends are going to help her drive the cattle to market. The men are dumbfounded at this idea. No way did the men believe that a bunch of women would make it to market without their help. Can a group of women really handle themselves on a long cattle drive? You just might be surprised.
The author writes of death, sorrow, danger, excitement, adventure and humor. Oh,let's not for get about romance.
Who do you think will save the ranch, the cowgirls or the cowboys?
This is another wonderful read in this series and only one more book to go.
I highly recommend this book.
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/Moody Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.
April 14, 2012
Firstly thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.
This is the fifth book in the Morgan family series and another good read. This book kept me up to the wee hours of the morning Monday or should I say Tuesday morning. This book features Alex Bright and Maggie Porter. The book starts with Alex just starting work at the Rocking P Ranch and then we skip around 7 years to when he is now foreman. The men want to strike because of low wages and the one perk they did have of keeping a few maverick cattle being taken from them. They are not earning enough to support their families and they see the owner living well. Maggie is back home after a time away and sees the issues of the men wanting to strike and loyalty to her father. Alex is in a hard place wanting to support his employer but also needing to supporting the men. Maggie had always wanted to be a cowgirl and with the strike she has a chance to put her skills to the test. Some of the men are not happy with this and there will be issues.
The book deals with issues such as pride and how it can cause more harm than good, this is a major part of Maggie's fathers issues. We also see loyalty, strength and determination. I also love learning more of the history of Texas. This is another great installment of this series.
This is the fifth book in the Morgan family series and another good read. This book kept me up to the wee hours of the morning Monday or should I say Tuesday morning. This book features Alex Bright and Maggie Porter. The book starts with Alex just starting work at the Rocking P Ranch and then we skip around 7 years to when he is now foreman. The men want to strike because of low wages and the one perk they did have of keeping a few maverick cattle being taken from them. They are not earning enough to support their families and they see the owner living well. Maggie is back home after a time away and sees the issues of the men wanting to strike and loyalty to her father. Alex is in a hard place wanting to support his employer but also needing to supporting the men. Maggie had always wanted to be a cowgirl and with the strike she has a chance to put her skills to the test. Some of the men are not happy with this and there will be issues.
The book deals with issues such as pride and how it can cause more harm than good, this is a major part of Maggie's fathers issues. We also see loyalty, strength and determination. I also love learning more of the history of Texas. This is another great installment of this series.
July 26, 2012
Maggie returns to her family's ranch, the Rocking P, after her mother's death to find her father's health failing. The cowboys there are threatening to strike, including her childhood crush, Alex. She decides she must take everything into her own hands and gathers her friends to help her do the men's job on their own. The women take the cattle on their own and head out on the Cowgirl Trail.
I thought that while this book had a lot of potential for being a great read, at times it was boring. I enjoyed other moments, but at other times it seemed to drag on. I liked all of the characters, and most were well-written. I would have liked a little more romance between the two main characters, Alex and Maggie. I liked the idea of strong females taking matters into their own hands and doing men's jobs like herding cattle all on their own. I did enjoy this book, but it dragged on in parts.
It can stand alone, but it is also part of the Texas Trail Series. I ave not read the whole series; only this book and End of the Trail. I liked end of the Trail better, but Cowgirl Trail was an okay read.
I was given a copy of this book by Moody, the publishers, in exchange for my honest opinion in a review.
I thought that while this book had a lot of potential for being a great read, at times it was boring. I enjoyed other moments, but at other times it seemed to drag on. I liked all of the characters, and most were well-written. I would have liked a little more romance between the two main characters, Alex and Maggie. I liked the idea of strong females taking matters into their own hands and doing men's jobs like herding cattle all on their own. I did enjoy this book, but it dragged on in parts.
It can stand alone, but it is also part of the Texas Trail Series. I ave not read the whole series; only this book and End of the Trail. I liked end of the Trail better, but Cowgirl Trail was an okay read.
I was given a copy of this book by Moody, the publishers, in exchange for my honest opinion in a review.
September 29, 2012
Growing up on the Rock P Ranch, Maggie Porter never thought she would one day be the one to save her father’s ranch by driving a herd of cattle to market. But that’s just what happened, along with all of the other women around, in this River North fiction by Susan Page Davis. Imagine what ranch manager Alex Bright and his men thought about women taking over their job?
I found this book a wonderful and interesting historical read. Maggie was a daddy’s girl, but she was also strong-willed and determined. She always had her eye on Alex from the first day he came to work for her dad, and after returning home from two years away from the ranch, Alex is as handsome as ever, but Maggie can’t believe he decides to side with the other ranch hands against her father. With realistic and interesting characters, Cowgirl Trail captured my interest from the beginning. Having read all of the Texas Trails series about the Morgan family, I was excited to be able to read this book as well, and it didn’t disappoint.
I highly recommend Cowgirl Trail for a fun, light and interesting read. You will be glad you picked up a copy of this book!
I received this book from River North Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own
I found this book a wonderful and interesting historical read. Maggie was a daddy’s girl, but she was also strong-willed and determined. She always had her eye on Alex from the first day he came to work for her dad, and after returning home from two years away from the ranch, Alex is as handsome as ever, but Maggie can’t believe he decides to side with the other ranch hands against her father. With realistic and interesting characters, Cowgirl Trail captured my interest from the beginning. Having read all of the Texas Trails series about the Morgan family, I was excited to be able to read this book as well, and it didn’t disappoint.
I highly recommend Cowgirl Trail for a fun, light and interesting read. You will be glad you picked up a copy of this book!
I received this book from River North Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own
October 16, 2012
Young Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch to discover her father’s health failing and the cowboys ready to walk off the job just at cattle-drive time. Even Alex Bright, the head ranch hand Maggie secretly loves, can’t or won’t convince the workers to stay on. In desperation, Maggie assembles a team of cowgirls from the town’s women to help her drive her father’s cattle to market. At stake is the ranch itself, for the bank waits to foreclose. But can cowgirls really do a cowboy’s job, and will the striking ranch hands let them?
Davis’s skilled writing carries the reader into romance and adventure in the Wild West. This is escapist reading at its finest. Distinctive characters, descriptions that leave the taste of trail dust in your mouth, and a comfortable-but-not slaggard pace make Cowgirl Trail fun to read.
I recommend Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis to adult readers who enjoy western historical romance. This is one of six novels written by Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough, and Darlene Franklin, which can be read alone or as part of the Texas Trails series.
Review by Janalyn Voigt, author of DawnSinger.
*My thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.
Davis’s skilled writing carries the reader into romance and adventure in the Wild West. This is escapist reading at its finest. Distinctive characters, descriptions that leave the taste of trail dust in your mouth, and a comfortable-but-not slaggard pace make Cowgirl Trail fun to read.
I recommend Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis to adult readers who enjoy western historical romance. This is one of six novels written by Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough, and Darlene Franklin, which can be read alone or as part of the Texas Trails series.
Review by Janalyn Voigt, author of DawnSinger.
*My thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.
February 7, 2016
It's clear that if Maggie Porter wants her father's cattle driven to auction, that she is going to have to do it herself. His entire crew has gone on "strike" after their grievances about low pay and lack of employee benefits have fallen on deaf ears. Even the handsome foreman, Alex Bright, has reluctantly joined the ranks of dissenters. Maggie agrees that her father is not himself and that his failing health and lingering grief over the loss of his wife has hardened his resolve, but something else appears to be terribly wrong.
Alex cannot believe that a group of women are going to finish "his" round-up and drive Mr. Porter's cattle to Fort Worth. Admittedly, he tried every negotiating skill in his arsenal and came up empty with the owner of the Rocking P. Should he and a few men ride along in the shadows, just to make sure the ladies escape any serious danger on the trail, or is it the fact that he doesn't want to say his final good-byes to the lovely Maggie Porter, that makes him want to follow along?
A nice, easy read about "true grit".
Alex cannot believe that a group of women are going to finish "his" round-up and drive Mr. Porter's cattle to Fort Worth. Admittedly, he tried every negotiating skill in his arsenal and came up empty with the owner of the Rocking P. Should he and a few men ride along in the shadows, just to make sure the ladies escape any serious danger on the trail, or is it the fact that he doesn't want to say his final good-byes to the lovely Maggie Porter, that makes him want to follow along?
A nice, easy read about "true grit".
April 7, 2012
This book is part of the Texas Trail Series and is set in the late 1800’s. The story is about Maggie Porter and her struggle to keep the family ranch. The story itself is interesting and will keep you turning the page to find out what happens next. The characters are unique and keep you guessing about how they will react to the next difficult situation they encounter.
I liked how the women of the town stepped in and helped Maggie. I especially enjoyed the journey to sell the cattle. I actually laughed out loud a few times. All the main characters are well written and develop over the course of the story. The relationships are believable and don’t slow the story down. Overall it was a good Christian western book and I gave it 5/5 stars.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
I liked how the women of the town stepped in and helped Maggie. I especially enjoyed the journey to sell the cattle. I actually laughed out loud a few times. All the main characters are well written and develop over the course of the story. The relationships are believable and don’t slow the story down. Overall it was a good Christian western book and I gave it 5/5 stars.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
August 12, 2012
Susan Page Davis is an amazing author who grabs the readers attention with the first sentence and doesn't let go. This story is about young love and loyalty. When the men decide to strike against conditions being put upon them, Maggie Porter has to figure out how to keep the family ranch working. Alex, whom she's been in love with since she was like 13, has to stand loyal to the men that work under him. The boss is miss treating them and he can't let that happen. I thought it was great how all the men came together to take care of their own, when the boss wouldn't lift a finger. And when the ladies start their cattle drive the guys are there to keep an eye on them and keep them safe. I really enjoyed this 5th in the series of 6 books. I also liked how these stories told a multi-generational story, the first three being about one generation and the last 3 were about the children of the first three.
June 26, 2012
I found this to be a really great read. Susan Page Davis has woven such an interesting tale....woman Cowgirls. Back in the late 1880's they did the unexpected, and probably not approved.
Maggie Porter returns home from a delightful time in San Francisco to find that things are really bad at the Ranch. Her father appears not to be himself, and he is doing unexpected things. As a result the Ranch Hands are besides themselves and are about to strike. The Ranch Foreman Alex Bright, who Maggie has felt sparks fly about, feels he needs to stick by his men.
When we find out what is going on, we are fully supportive of Maggie. Love the reaction of the small town Brady TX, and wish I could have been there with them.
Once you begin this journey one you won't be able to put it down...Enjoy!
I received this book from the Publisher Moody, and was not required to give a positive review.
Maggie Porter returns home from a delightful time in San Francisco to find that things are really bad at the Ranch. Her father appears not to be himself, and he is doing unexpected things. As a result the Ranch Hands are besides themselves and are about to strike. The Ranch Foreman Alex Bright, who Maggie has felt sparks fly about, feels he needs to stick by his men.
When we find out what is going on, we are fully supportive of Maggie. Love the reaction of the small town Brady TX, and wish I could have been there with them.
Once you begin this journey one you won't be able to put it down...Enjoy!
I received this book from the Publisher Moody, and was not required to give a positive review.
March 7, 2012
When Maggie Porter's father falls ill, working conditions on their ranch rapidly decline along with Mr. Porter's health. Handsome ranch foreman, Alex Bright, tries to negotiate a deal, but with the yearly roundup in full swing, disgruntled cowboys take matters into their own hands and strike for better wages and working conditions. In a desperate act to save the ranch that will soon be hers, Maggie gathers her fellow cowgirls to finish the roundup and take the herd to market. Alex tries to walk away and leave her to finish the job, but his feelings for his former boss's daughter along with the danger he know she'll encounter leave him facing a whole new dilemma.
Believable characters and realistic action make this a good read.
Believable characters and realistic action make this a good read.
December 7, 2012
COWGIRL TRAIL by Susan Davis Page is an engaging christian western historical romance. "Part of a six book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book book can be read on its own. "Cowgirl Trail" is book #5 in this amazing series. A very good story. I liked the all characters,especially, Maggie. Who was a good Christian girl and I liked how she took care of her family. The love she found with her husband. What an amazing family and story. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: DorothyA, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: DorothyA, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
August 9, 2022
A Little Slow
A little slow is an exaggeration. This book was slow and boring. The first book in this series was so good that I could could hardly wait for this one to come out. It lacked all the things that made the first story a success. The main male character, Alex, was nice enough, but the cows got more attention than he did. There wasn’t anything too likable about the lead female character, Maggie, was judgmental and selfish. She did love her dad, who was ill and dying, and no longer the man he once was. I made myself finish reading this book because the first book as so good, I kept thinking it might get better. It didn’t. And when something finally did happen, good or bad, it was just glossed over and a let down to read.
A little slow is an exaggeration. This book was slow and boring. The first book in this series was so good that I could could hardly wait for this one to come out. It lacked all the things that made the first story a success. The main male character, Alex, was nice enough, but the cows got more attention than he did. There wasn’t anything too likable about the lead female character, Maggie, was judgmental and selfish. She did love her dad, who was ill and dying, and no longer the man he once was. I made myself finish reading this book because the first book as so good, I kept thinking it might get better. It didn’t. And when something finally did happen, good or bad, it was just glossed over and a let down to read.
July 21, 2012
Thank you to Net Galley for the free copy of CowGirl Trail. I love books about ranching. I loved this book particulary.
When formen Alex Birght and his ranch hands go on strike. It's up to Maggie to find away to save the ranch, care for her Papa, and in the meantime try to avoid falling in love.
I loved that Maggie and the women dared to cattle drive and while at it developed friendship and strength from each other. I this book there where also men that support the women in their task and I really liked that the author showed this. You will enjoy this wonderfully loaded western.
When formen Alex Birght and his ranch hands go on strike. It's up to Maggie to find away to save the ranch, care for her Papa, and in the meantime try to avoid falling in love.
I loved that Maggie and the women dared to cattle drive and while at it developed friendship and strength from each other. I this book there where also men that support the women in their task and I really liked that the author showed this. You will enjoy this wonderfully loaded western.
March 10, 2014
I loved this book. I loved that for the second time while reading a historical novel that the main character is a woman she just takes over and does what needs to be done. In this book you get to see what Maggie goes through as she comes home from being away and has to basically take over rounding up the cattle and handling the cattle drive because the cowboys go on strike. I loved Maggie and I have to say that the author does a great job of making you understand what is going on and also understand the time period.
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