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Prairie Courtships #1
Winning the Widow's Heart
In the Care of the Lawman
When Texas Ranger Jack Elder stormed the isolated Kansas homestead, he expected to find a band of outlaws. Instead, the only occupant is a heavily pregnant woman-and she's just gone in to labor. A loner uneasy with emotion, Jack helps deliver widow Elizabeth Cole's baby girl and can't get back on the trail fast enough. The robber and murderer he's after killed one of Jack's own, and he vows to catch the man. But when he returns to check on Elizabeth and her little one, he discovers that she may hold the key to his unsettled past-and his hoped-for future.
When Texas Ranger Jack Elder stormed the isolated Kansas homestead, he expected to find a band of outlaws. Instead, the only occupant is a heavily pregnant woman-and she's just gone in to labor. A loner uneasy with emotion, Jack helps deliver widow Elizabeth Cole's baby girl and can't get back on the trail fast enough. The robber and murderer he's after killed one of Jack's own, and he vows to catch the man. But when he returns to check on Elizabeth and her little one, he discovers that she may hold the key to his unsettled past-and his hoped-for future.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
63 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 28, 2012
Some aspects of this story I really liked - the hero and heroine were true to themselves and their families. The baby was realistic in that she was awake when she should be asleep, was messy and loud, was a constant worry, and so on. The girl who helped the heroine around the house was in an awkward stage and boy, did that show -- I liked JoBeth. I liked how they both figured out the answer to the crime separately.
I never understood why the dead husband married the shop girl in the first place. I would think he would seduce her and leave her behind, because that sounds more like the kind of guy he was.
It dragged through the middle with the hero sitting around allegedly protecting the heroine and with an instinct that the answers were right there. But there was no real threat to her, and he knew an innocent man was going to die if he didn't get to work. I felt they could have talked to each other more and figured it out sooner. And the hero really should have pushed for answers, even if he was trying to be sensitive.
Sometimes the author misused words, like she was trying to use a word she wasn't quite clear on or wasn't comfortable to her. Some might have been typos. Someone 'hoisted' a problem off on someone else. That's 'foisted', isn't it?
I'm not a religious person, but the praying, etc didn't feel terribly intrusive and was a natural part of the heroine's journey - you pretty much expect a lot of people, historically, to have at least some faith, at least enough to conform to the church in whatever small town they live in. In fact, I would have liked to see her learning more about it and being included because of her new interest in faith. And the hero's terrible view of humanity (as a long-term Texas Ranger who had seen the dregs of humanity) should have tested his faith more.
So a really good first novel with just a few quibbles.
I never understood why the dead husband married the shop girl in the first place. I would think he would seduce her and leave her behind, because that sounds more like the kind of guy he was.
It dragged through the middle with the hero sitting around allegedly protecting the heroine and with an instinct that the answers were right there. But there was no real threat to her, and he knew an innocent man was going to die if he didn't get to work. I felt they could have talked to each other more and figured it out sooner. And the hero really should have pushed for answers, even if he was trying to be sensitive.
Sometimes the author misused words, like she was trying to use a word she wasn't quite clear on or wasn't comfortable to her. Some might have been typos. Someone 'hoisted' a problem off on someone else. That's 'foisted', isn't it?
I'm not a religious person, but the praying, etc didn't feel terribly intrusive and was a natural part of the heroine's journey - you pretty much expect a lot of people, historically, to have at least some faith, at least enough to conform to the church in whatever small town they live in. In fact, I would have liked to see her learning more about it and being included because of her new interest in faith. And the hero's terrible view of humanity (as a long-term Texas Ranger who had seen the dregs of humanity) should have tested his faith more.
So a really good first novel with just a few quibbles.
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July 12, 2023DNF at 62%
I was reading this on Scribd at work on and off as I had time. Yes, it was taking me a while to read it because I do not always have time to read at work. But Scribd took this book down. I’ve decided just to DNF it because I don’t feel like getting it on my kindle to finish. It was cute at first; had me grinning like a ninny at work. But as it wore on, it got kind of boring. The same thing over and over kind of deal. I was getting annoyed with Jack because he’s supposed to be finding an outlaw or an innocent man will hang, but he spends so much time at Elizabeth’s homestead doing nothing for his case. He came back specifically to question her, but then talked himself out of it where I was in the story. He did finally tell her why he was there and she wanted to help him. But in my opinion, he needed to question her and search her place because that was his job. His only leads kept leading him back to her place. He needed to find out why. It was so annoying because he was running out of time, but kept putting it off. Which to me is not that romantic. Side note: this book is set in the dead of winter, which the cover does not portray at all😂🤷🏼♀️
Also, this is not the first time Scribd has taken down a Love Inspired Historical while I was reading it, so I think I’m just going to avoid them on there from now on🤷🏼♀️
I was reading this on Scribd at work on and off as I had time. Yes, it was taking me a while to read it because I do not always have time to read at work. But Scribd took this book down. I’ve decided just to DNF it because I don’t feel like getting it on my kindle to finish. It was cute at first; had me grinning like a ninny at work. But as it wore on, it got kind of boring. The same thing over and over kind of deal. I was getting annoyed with Jack because he’s supposed to be finding an outlaw or an innocent man will hang, but he spends so much time at Elizabeth’s homestead doing nothing for his case. He came back specifically to question her, but then talked himself out of it where I was in the story. He did finally tell her why he was there and she wanted to help him. But in my opinion, he needed to question her and search her place because that was his job. His only leads kept leading him back to her place. He needed to find out why. It was so annoying because he was running out of time, but kept putting it off. Which to me is not that romantic. Side note: this book is set in the dead of winter, which the cover does not portray at all😂🤷🏼♀️
Also, this is not the first time Scribd has taken down a Love Inspired Historical while I was reading it, so I think I’m just going to avoid them on there from now on🤷🏼♀️
June 27, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was looking for a quick e-read this one came recommended from the site so I went with it. It was my first Sherri Shackelford read and now I can say I'm a fan!
October 29, 2018
Personal Response:
Winning the Widow's Heart is an marvelous book that has a lot of action and descriptive words. I believe that young adults and adults would adore this book greatly.
Plot summary
Winning the Widow’s Heart is based off a fiction story of love and murder. Elizabeth is about to have a baby when Jack Elder, a Texas Ranger breaks down her door in search of a bank robber. Elizabeth is a widow, alone and afraid and Jack is there to help her when she needs it most. Elizabeth's smart-mouth girl helps deliver baby Rachel. The widow doesn't know how to take care of a baby, has suspicions about her dead husband's source of income, and has a whole town's worth of bachelors asking for her hand. Fortunately her adorable daughter quickly wraps the Ranger around her baby finger. Jack is intent on catching a criminal and Elizabeth is sure that she can manage on her own.
Recommendation:
I recommend Winning the Widow’s Heart to anyone who would love very descriptive book. This author makes many fantastic books that I have been reading in the past. I would say Winning the Widow's Heart is really one of Sherri Shackelfords best work.
Winning the Widow's Heart is an marvelous book that has a lot of action and descriptive words. I believe that young adults and adults would adore this book greatly.
Plot summary
Winning the Widow’s Heart is based off a fiction story of love and murder. Elizabeth is about to have a baby when Jack Elder, a Texas Ranger breaks down her door in search of a bank robber. Elizabeth is a widow, alone and afraid and Jack is there to help her when she needs it most. Elizabeth's smart-mouth girl helps deliver baby Rachel. The widow doesn't know how to take care of a baby, has suspicions about her dead husband's source of income, and has a whole town's worth of bachelors asking for her hand. Fortunately her adorable daughter quickly wraps the Ranger around her baby finger. Jack is intent on catching a criminal and Elizabeth is sure that she can manage on her own.
Recommendation:
I recommend Winning the Widow’s Heart to anyone who would love very descriptive book. This author makes many fantastic books that I have been reading in the past. I would say Winning the Widow's Heart is really one of Sherri Shackelfords best work.
June 24, 2012
I went into this novel with high expectations because it was a 2011 ACFW Genesis finalist. Half-way through the first chapter I could see why. The novel is tightly written, with an engaging hero and heroine and just the right amount of secondary characters to deepen the story. One in particular who says exactly what she thinks about everything I hope we see in a future novel.
The hero Jack Elder is all the right stuff you would expect in a Texas Ranger and Elizabeth a very believable heroine. My only issue with her was at times her love for her newborn daughter felt a bit overdone, but this is probably because I don't have kids.
The romance develops on the slow side for me, but so well I didn't mind as much I would have expected. Jack Elder is such an engaging hero and his inner demons account for most of that rather than poor writing, which is why I didn't rate the book 3 stars.
The few moments of sexual tension are on the light side, but that's in keeping with the expectations of this publisher. I'm probably only disappointed by that because again, Jack is a tremendous hero.
Overall a solid and enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author.
The hero Jack Elder is all the right stuff you would expect in a Texas Ranger and Elizabeth a very believable heroine. My only issue with her was at times her love for her newborn daughter felt a bit overdone, but this is probably because I don't have kids.
The romance develops on the slow side for me, but so well I didn't mind as much I would have expected. Jack Elder is such an engaging hero and his inner demons account for most of that rather than poor writing, which is why I didn't rate the book 3 stars.
The few moments of sexual tension are on the light side, but that's in keeping with the expectations of this publisher. I'm probably only disappointed by that because again, Jack is a tremendous hero.
Overall a solid and enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author.
July 3, 2016
Elizabeth is about to have a baby when Jack Elder, a Texas Ranger breaks down her door in search of a bank robber. Elizabeth is a widow, alone and afraid and Jack is there to help her when she needs it most. Jack is intent on catching a criminal and Elizabeth is sure that she can manage on her own. But both begin to realize how much they need each other.
This book was a fun read. The story flowed smoothly and was entertaining. I had a pretty good idea who the bank robber was almost from the beginning, but the romantic part of the story was sweet and ended nicely. My only complaint was some of the story threads didn't seem to be complete. It didn't really detract from the story, but was something I noticed.
This is definitely a fun summer read.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a fun read. The story flowed smoothly and was entertaining. I had a pretty good idea who the bank robber was almost from the beginning, but the romantic part of the story was sweet and ended nicely. My only complaint was some of the story threads didn't seem to be complete. It didn't really detract from the story, but was something I noticed.
This is definitely a fun summer read.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2012
Escape from the here and now!
With strong leading characters and a supporting cast making you chuckle with delight, Winning the Widow’s Heart is a great debut novel. Jack and Elizabeth, both with realistic joys, sorrows, doubts and sacrifices, will fill your heart and keep you reading to learn their fates. How can you lose when a tale starts off with a Texas Ranger, a snowstorm, a pregnant widow—and a gun?
This is an author to watch—I predict great tales from her!
With strong leading characters and a supporting cast making you chuckle with delight, Winning the Widow’s Heart is a great debut novel. Jack and Elizabeth, both with realistic joys, sorrows, doubts and sacrifices, will fill your heart and keep you reading to learn their fates. How can you lose when a tale starts off with a Texas Ranger, a snowstorm, a pregnant widow—and a gun?
This is an author to watch—I predict great tales from her!
June 18, 2012
Texas Ranger Jack is looking for a bank robber who is responsible for killing his sister in law. His leads take him to a pregnant woman in need of assitance. He then struggles with falling in love with the widow of the bank robber. I received this book for free through goodreads giveaways.
July 1, 2012
Pretty good story, but a little bit dragged out. Could have been a few pages shorter with some of the repetitive items such as why he was at the farm in the first place etc. and it would have been much better.
January 2, 2017
Wonderful read
I fell in love with this book not to mention Jake. He is the kind of man that every little girl dreams of marrying and the perfect hero. If you like action adventure and smiling while reading you will enjoy this book I highly recommend it
I fell in love with this book not to mention Jake. He is the kind of man that every little girl dreams of marrying and the perfect hero. If you like action adventure and smiling while reading you will enjoy this book I highly recommend it
August 27, 2012
Great story, I cared about what would happen to the characters next. Would like to know more about what happens after the story ends!
August 6, 2017
Wonderful story
October 26, 2022
I'm not good at writing reviews but I loved this little book too much not to talk about it. This was so sweet and gave all the warm, fuzzy feelings! Elizabeth grew up in an orphanage and then married a man that took her West. He turns out to be a horrible husband who may have been involved in shady activities before he ended up dead. Elizabeth is left pregnant and alone on the prairie until Jack Elder shows up in the middle of her giving birth looking for the outlaw that killed his sister-in-law.
Jack is a very protective hero and wants to take care of Elizabeth and her baby, but he has to prioritize finding the killer or staying. Elizabeth desperately wants a family, but she doesn't believe Jack or anyone could ever truly want her and she doesn't let herself trust him completely.
It did unfortunately have the VERY annoying miscommunication trope that drove me crazy. 🤣 I absolutely melted at how much Jack wanted to care for stubborn Elizabeth and her baby. The scenes of him caring for the baby were so sweet! It was so heartwarming to see Elizabeth admit that she did want and need Jack's help in her life.
I loved this, go read it!
Jack is a very protective hero and wants to take care of Elizabeth and her baby, but he has to prioritize finding the killer or staying. Elizabeth desperately wants a family, but she doesn't believe Jack or anyone could ever truly want her and she doesn't let herself trust him completely.
It did unfortunately have the VERY annoying miscommunication trope that drove me crazy. 🤣 I absolutely melted at how much Jack wanted to care for stubborn Elizabeth and her baby. The scenes of him caring for the baby were so sweet! It was so heartwarming to see Elizabeth admit that she did want and need Jack's help in her life.
I loved this, go read it!
March 25, 2023
nice sweet book to read
This was a very nice sweet book to read. It was very well written by Sherri Shackelford. A widower giving birth, the ranger looking for the outlaw find each other in a snow storm. Elizabeth is struggling on the farm after her husband died, she is in labor, when a man comes into her home looking for an outlaw. Jack is looking for the outlaw who murdered his sister in law. There was no outlaw at the house just a woman who needed help. Jack is going to give Elizabeth all the help she needs. This was a very enjoyable book to read. I’m sure I will reread this book again.
This was a very nice sweet book to read. It was very well written by Sherri Shackelford. A widower giving birth, the ranger looking for the outlaw find each other in a snow storm. Elizabeth is struggling on the farm after her husband died, she is in labor, when a man comes into her home looking for an outlaw. Jack is looking for the outlaw who murdered his sister in law. There was no outlaw at the house just a woman who needed help. Jack is going to give Elizabeth all the help she needs. This was a very enjoyable book to read. I’m sure I will reread this book again.
June 1, 2022
3.5 stars���
Not bad at all! Cute story. I predicted who the bad guy was from the start, but it was still good!
I really loved Jack and how he treated Elizabeth, Jo, & Rachel.
The story was a bit choppy though.. the author had all these great ideas for action scenes (mostly where Jack saves Elizabeth), and it was sort of unrealistic.
Also, the book didn’t really tell you how long Jack was gone from Elizabeth’s property after Rachel’s birth.. 🧐
This book was pretty sweet and I’m glad I picked it up. The love inspired historical series has yet to let me down! 👍🏼💗
Not bad at all! Cute story. I predicted who the bad guy was from the start, but it was still good!
I really loved Jack and how he treated Elizabeth, Jo, & Rachel.
The story was a bit choppy though.. the author had all these great ideas for action scenes (mostly where Jack saves Elizabeth), and it was sort of unrealistic.
Also, the book didn’t really tell you how long Jack was gone from Elizabeth’s property after Rachel’s birth.. 🧐
This book was pretty sweet and I’m glad I picked it up. The love inspired historical series has yet to let me down! 👍🏼💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2024
A Texas Ranger finds love with a widow and her little girl.
First time reading this author. Jack and Elizabeth story had a very special start. It was the birth of little Rachel. Elizabeth really didn't want anything to do with Jack. But as he helped her around the place and protected her. She fell in love with him and he with her. Neither one was looking for love. Jo Elizabeth neighbor kept Elizabeth and Jack entertained and Jo learned a lot from them. So happy that little Rachel Rose has a daddy. Will read more by this author.
First time reading this author. Jack and Elizabeth story had a very special start. It was the birth of little Rachel. Elizabeth really didn't want anything to do with Jack. But as he helped her around the place and protected her. She fell in love with him and he with her. Neither one was looking for love. Jo Elizabeth neighbor kept Elizabeth and Jack entertained and Jo learned a lot from them. So happy that little Rachel Rose has a daddy. Will read more by this author.
April 24, 2024
WONDERFUL story that takes you on an exciting journey with two lonely people. Ranger Jack and Elizabeth struggle with their feelings, but eventually realize they were meant to be together. I enjoyed reading such a sweet story and can’t wait to read more from Sherri Schackelford. Keep on writing more clean and wholesome stories with all the excitement that holds your attention from beginning to the end !!
June 27, 2024
great story
I throughly enjoyed this story … it had elements of a crime to solve, a stubborn man, strong woman and an infant who gradually realize they belong together as a family. Even the secondary characters were well written enough to have a distinct voice. The plot had enough unexpected events to keep interest in both solving the crime and working out the romance. A great story!
I throughly enjoyed this story … it had elements of a crime to solve, a stubborn man, strong woman and an infant who gradually realize they belong together as a family. Even the secondary characters were well written enough to have a distinct voice. The plot had enough unexpected events to keep interest in both solving the crime and working out the romance. A great story!
July 18, 2020
I enjoyed this historical romance by Sherri Shackelford! My heart went out to Elizabeth Cole who Was an orphan who married the first person to pay attention to her. She is now a widow and in labor when Texas Ranger Jack Elder arrives at her homestead looking for a bank robber! I won this book in a drawing. This is my honest opinion.
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February 21, 2022Romantic, captivating, relatable drama
Yet again I couldn't put this book down! I read book 7 of the series first. Got hooked and bought the entire series. Started this one right after and moving to book 2 as soon as I'm done writing this review. Amazing, compelling, captivating, romantic drama!
Yet again I couldn't put this book down! I read book 7 of the series first. Got hooked and bought the entire series. Started this one right after and moving to book 2 as soon as I'm done writing this review. Amazing, compelling, captivating, romantic drama!
August 7, 2020
The best part of this book was outspoken Jo. Jack, while nice had some awkward lines, and although I just finished the book, I cannot even remember the widows name. Her character, for someone so young was a bit too unrealistic, confusing and a bit mean.
August 18, 2023
Ranger Jake is following a murderer and robber. He accidentally stumbles into a homestead where Elizabeth is about ready to have her baby. Jake helps, leaves and returns because all clues indicate here and he's in love with Elizabeth.
December 10, 2024
Engaging.
From the first chapter to the very end, it keeps you wondering what's going to happen next? The author has a wonderful ability of making it feel like you were right there in the story when it happens.
From the first chapter to the very end, it keeps you wondering what's going to happen next? The author has a wonderful ability of making it feel like you were right there in the story when it happens.
March 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, I found that the story line was good.
May 25, 2020
It was hard to put down.
October 12, 2021
Sweet story
Love the quick action
flow of the story Sheri Shackleford knows her craft. Heroine is
stubborn, Hero is virtuous, story does not insult the reader
Love the quick action
flow of the story Sheri Shackleford knows her craft. Heroine is
stubborn, Hero is virtuous, story does not insult the reader
did-not-finish
March 4, 2024Come back to finish (library)
DNF 33%
96 of 282
DNF 33%
96 of 282
March 9, 2024
A adventure
love Elizabeth character and Jack was a true hero. I loved Jo's spunk. A story that has a good ending.
love Elizabeth character and Jack was a true hero. I loved Jo's spunk. A story that has a good ending.
March 13, 2024
Wow! What a great story!
This is one of the best books I’ve read. It will keep you turning pages and staying up way too late to find out what happens.
This is one of the best books I’ve read. It will keep you turning pages and staying up way too late to find out what happens.
August 2, 2017
Kind of cliché story, completely predictable. Jack Elder stops by Elizabeth’s ranch looking for a bad guy, helps her deliver a baby, and you know the rest.
Still, not bad, it was kind of fun and kind of cute. Sometimes you just want a sappy love story, and this is certainly that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews