A Place to Belong

Wild West Wind #3

by Lauraine Snelling

As winter settles over the ranch, the Engstrom brothers are much on the mind of Cassie Lockwood. The way Lucas smiles at her should set her heart to tripping. But it doesn't. Shouldn't there be some attraction to him if they are going to be married? His vow to make her love him does not seem to be working, no matter how considerate and charming he is.

Ransom Engstrom is another matter. After Cassie's train trip to a shooting competition, she realizes she misses Ransom more than Lucas. And then there's the look she caught Lucas sending Betsy Hudson at church one Sunday. Are she and Lucas drifting apart?

Meanwhile, Ransom has discovered that he cares for Cassie but can't bring himself to express his true feelings to her. When she leaves to join a Wild West show for the summer, will Ransom summon the courage to go after her?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance, Christian Historical Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.

Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Place to Belong is the third book in a series. I did not realize this when I originally began reading the book, however, I found that after a couple of chapters, I understood who all the characters were and had a good idea of a few major things that had happened in previous books.

I enjoyed this book. The author is very thorough in her details of everyday life on a ranch in South Dakota. After reading this book, I definitely felt I had experienced the ups and downs of life back then. Her attention to details is amazing.

The two characters who fall in love sure did take a long time to figure that out! I prefer a little more tension between the characters as the attraction builds. However, when the author got around to getting the two of them to realize their feelings, I did think she did a good job.

All in all, an enjoyable book, and I am glad I read it. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read books set in the Wild West but I'm such a fan of Lauraine's I read all of her books! She always has a great storyline with good strong female characters. The is the last in the series and has Cassie deciding to marry Lucas, a man she doesn't love, for her it will be a marriage of convenience. Since arriving at their home Lucas' father notices the changes in him and encourages him to marry Cassie.

Hoping to win enough to pay off her debts she enters shooting contests and is getting pretty good at it. Winter is coming quickly, wedding plans are being made. This may be Cassie's biggest mistake ever or does she change her mind?

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were very likeable, the plot was good. A fun read!

I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this whole series! This was and easy and enjoyable read. The characters were all believable and spoke of trust in the Lord. Always a good reminder when enjoying a good book as this one was. I gave it 5 stars because after finishing the first book in the series I had to find out more about the story and characters, read until I finished all three books.

Loved this series. Such an easy and enjoyable read. The characters were believable and good people who trusted in the Lord.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series and the conclusion. It was boring. Cassie is shot in the arm and is unable to continue with the Wild West show so she goes to a ranch. she is trying to learn to cook and keep house. Lucas and Cassie are planning to marry but she doesn't fell like he is the one. Lucas finally takes it in his hands and puts an end to her wondering.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe how boring and dry this series was compared to others by Snelling. Each of the three books in this series were almost painful to get through. This book didn't start to pick up until the last 40 pages but it made me wonder why the rest of the book couldn't have been as good....

[Martha Valasek · Rating 2 out of 5]

dragged a bit and I just couldn't get into some of the characters

[Cindy]

Another great Lauraine Snelling book!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!!! I didn't want the story to stop. So many up and downs in this story. The trial of the three men who attacked the cabin. Cassie's agreement to marry Lucas - except Lucas doesn't even show that he is attracted to Cassie. Cassie in her shooting matches. Ransom with he furniture making business. The new guesthouse for those visiting the ranch. Chief returning to the ranch. Chief and Arnett helping around the ranch. Betsey and Lucas. All of these snippets are talked about in a way that makes you not want to put the book down because you can't wait to see what is happening next! Love this author. Have read others of her books and enjoyed them just as much.

[Klarence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the series! The writing style is so natural. The slice of life that you picture makes you want to live there. That lead up at the very end was great as well! Very tension filled. It felt like I was watching a typical go about their lives and it was so uplifting when Ransom finally confessed how he loved Cassie. And the fight between Lucas and Ransom. It was like any other fight between brothers. It did have its twists and turns with the return of Mr. Talbot. All in all, a great read. Would recommend to anyone that would like a slower paced kind of series with a slice of life aspect.

[Tami Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peaceful Respit

I can always count on Lauraine Snelling to deliver a story that I can crawl inside of, away from the hustle and bustle of life. This series did not disappoint. With the world gone crazy over COVID and politics, I relish the evenings and weekends spent in the gentle, Godly stories woven by this master story teller. Thank you Lauraine Snelling. May you write 70 more books with as much beauty and grace as you have blessed us with so far, and may you continue to find joy in the task.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m considering skipping to the end of this one… I’m only a couple chapters in and I’m wondering where her editing team was. I’m just these chapters there’s been a character called by the wrong last name and the cow that was supposed to calf by the end of the month is suddenly not due until February. Minor continuity issues, but jarring ones… I’m also not sure this saga needed to be almost 1,000 pages. Will update if needed.

[sherry beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story

Sorry to say goodbye to this series. I loved the characters. Reading the three books got me through Hurricane Harvey, having my home flooded, rebuilding. It reminded me others have been through worse, and how to move on with confidence that things will get better. The writing is excellent, there were no errors in the flow to interrupt the reader.

[Alana Maitland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Three books?

Only Three Books?

A great story. The main character became a strong woman overcoming fears and many hardships. The joyous reunions and battles won were peppered through this and The two previous books. The testimony of Christian people relying on God was inspiring.

[Lewis Romesburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was not my favorite series, I really enjoyed the characters, setting and happy ending. I’ve now read all of Lauraine Snelling books. I have pre-ordered her next and final book in the Red River series.
I can’t wait to read it ..... Then I plan to start that series again and re-read them all again. That’s how much I love her books.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

South Dakota, 1906
The third and last book in the series. It moved a little slowly, but had a satisfying ending. The characters must have worked hard to burn off all the cinnamon rolls and cookies they ate!

[Elyse Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Snelling’s Best yet!

Such a satisfying finish to an amazing series. So well written and filled with twists and turns that makes you keep turning the pages without stopping. I truly love this series!

[Betty Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read

This series was so different than the Red river series. I have been a loved of her writings from the first. Hard to put one down and eagerly waits for the next installment.

[Alice Pitcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I love her books. Great writer.😀.

Wonderful
Has a historical real feel it. Research is very good. Makes one wonder if this is not part of the beginning of Hill City attraction today.

[Kathy Knutsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course, in a series the author has to catch readers up that didn’t read the first two, but it was a little slow. The characters make up for it as you are interested in what they are thinking and doing. A very comfortable read for a beach or summer day.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this series because the main character had a lot of grit. However, if you read book one, then you're on the hook to read the next two since books one and two end abruptly with unsatisfactory conclusions; leaving you wondering what happens next. Book three ties in pertinent points from books one and two and could be read as a standalone book.

[Gina Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series

Liked this series at the beginning of the 20th century, good family and friends with a few shady people that just causes trouble. Would like to see a fourth book on the couple that finally got together at the end of this storyline, but we will see.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series was very enjoyable. Cassie’s fortitude under horrible circumstances made me truly admire her, and I loved learning about running a ranch.,The ending was very satisfying and what I hoped would happen in the end. I would recommend this trilogy to others.

[Annita Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read the 2 books that preceded "A Place to Belong" but I really enjoyed this story. It started off softly and was clean to read. I enjoyed the journey Cassie had with the Engstrom brothers and galloped to the conclusion. Happy reading.

[Sherry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

I really enjoyed this book. It was good to hear of the Wild West Shows. And it was s good romance

[Linda Gatza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series

I truly enjoyed the way the characters were developed over the course of the series. I also appreciate the masterful intertwining of faith with real life rigors.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

I did like this book, worth finishing. But a little dragged out, more detail could of been in this book.

[Nancy Varley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet finish to the trilogy

[Susan R. Lundine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So satisfying

Lauraine Snelling brings this series to a delightful conclusion in this book, with a bit of danger to spice things up near the end.

[Lynette Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable

I love this book because it was so easy to read and a good look into the daily life of people in the early days of South Dakota.

[Salinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet book.