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Brides of Cactus Gap #1
The Rancher's Orphan Bride
THE RANCHER'S ORPHAN BRIDE
Sweet Historical Western Romance
Novelette/Short Story
Rachel Hendricks moves to Cactus Gap, Texas, to reclaim her young brothers whom she sent out West on the Orphan Train after their parents died. She plans to reunite her family and make a home for them so they can start a new life together.
Reese Cooper takes the Hendricks brothers under his temporary guardianship and provides room and board in exchange for good honest work. Even though he still mourns the death of his wife, the two boys inch their way into his battered heart. When their sister comes to claim them, Reese discovers the healing power of love.
Sweet Historical Western Romance
Novelette/Short Story
Rachel Hendricks moves to Cactus Gap, Texas, to reclaim her young brothers whom she sent out West on the Orphan Train after their parents died. She plans to reunite her family and make a home for them so they can start a new life together.
Reese Cooper takes the Hendricks brothers under his temporary guardianship and provides room and board in exchange for good honest work. Even though he still mourns the death of his wife, the two boys inch their way into his battered heart. When their sister comes to claim them, Reese discovers the healing power of love.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
225 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Anna St. James
14 books9 followersAnna St. James grew up watching the classic westerns during the golden age of television. Rawhide, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Wild, Wild West and Bonanza were just a few of her favorites. Later on she became a fan of Little House on the Prairie and Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman; and later still, The Love Comes Softly Series and Sarah Plain and Tall. Her love of Texas and history made writing historical western romances a natural choice. Married to her own special hero, Anna makes her home in the Lone Star State.
Classic Romance: Short and Sweet
Historical Western Romance
Inspirational Romance
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Classic Romance: Short and Sweet
Historical Western Romance
Inspirational Romance
Sign up to receive emails for Anna's new releases:
http://annastjamesromanceauthor.blogs...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 14, 2022
It's been a few days since I read this late in the night/early at dawn's break in one setting. This is one of those free eBooks I've had for a while that was gathering cyber dust.
What I liked:
1) The Texas scenery/nature descriptions. I believe the author took great joy when it came to describing the western settings because they were vivid. I too am from Texas and very much appreciated them. :)
2) I liked that the romance aspects were more on the subtle side. Rachel, while attracted to Reese, didn't jump at the chance to live at his ranch with her brothers. She kept her distance instead of chasing or swooning every time he came near. I can't exactly say the same for Reese but more about the later.
3) The relationship between Reese and Rachel's brothers was sweet. I liked that he took them under his wing and taught them skills and trades on his ranch.
What I didn't like:
1) While Jacob and Matthew were ok characters. I felt that there wasn't much to them aside from Jacob's illness which got the storyline moving.
2) I noticed parts of the story moved too fast and felt rushed.
3) When it came to Reese's feelings for Rachel, he was a bit more forthcoming and bold to the point that it was a little awkward in my personal preference. Everything was still clean
Overall: not a bad reason to lose sleep. Solid 3 stars. Recommend if you like quick reads, western romances.
What I liked:
1) The Texas scenery/nature descriptions. I believe the author took great joy when it came to describing the western settings because they were vivid. I too am from Texas and very much appreciated them. :)
2) I liked that the romance aspects were more on the subtle side. Rachel, while attracted to Reese, didn't jump at the chance to live at his ranch with her brothers. She kept her distance instead of chasing or swooning every time he came near. I can't exactly say the same for Reese but more about the later.
3) The relationship between Reese and Rachel's brothers was sweet. I liked that he took them under his wing and taught them skills and trades on his ranch.
What I didn't like:
1) While Jacob and Matthew were ok characters. I felt that there wasn't much to them aside from Jacob's illness which got the storyline moving.
2) I noticed parts of the story moved too fast and felt rushed.
3) When it came to Reese's feelings for Rachel, he was a bit more forthcoming and bold to the point that it was a little awkward in my personal preference. Everything was still clean
Overall: not a bad reason to lose sleep. Solid 3 stars. Recommend if you like quick reads, western romances.
January 6, 2019
Very short
Cute story. Not really fleshed out due to the shortness of the narrative but I did enjoy it. Would read. Ore from this author if she would write a fuller novel. About a young girl coming to see her brothers and falling in love with their foster dad.
Cute story. Not really fleshed out due to the shortness of the narrative but I did enjoy it. Would read. Ore from this author if she would write a fuller novel. About a young girl coming to see her brothers and falling in love with their foster dad.
March 15, 2019
3 1/2 stars
May 11, 2015
I enjoyed this short, clean historical western romance. I would have liked more character development from both the hero and the heroine. I appreciated they both had backstories and struggled with their feelings for each other. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
If you are looking for a clean short historical romance then I recommend this one. It is much better than some of the other ones out there. I liked that the heroine, Rachel, wasn't planning on getting married. She wanted to be reunited with her two brothers and make sure they were taken care of. The romance was pushed by her brothers matchmaking attempts to get her to marry the rancher who took them in. This was a refreshing change from all the mail order bride stories flooding the market.
If you are looking for a clean short historical romance then I recommend this one. It is much better than some of the other ones out there. I liked that the heroine, Rachel, wasn't planning on getting married. She wanted to be reunited with her two brothers and make sure they were taken care of. The romance was pushed by her brothers matchmaking attempts to get her to marry the rancher who took them in. This was a refreshing change from all the mail order bride stories flooding the market.
March 12, 2018
What a great book!
This was a book I couldn’t put down. Having to make a better life for her brothers, after the death of her parents, she sends them on an orphan train to Texas where their mother was from. Meeting up with them a year later, she opens her heart to love. This book had me crying with her!! What a beautifully written book!
This was a book I couldn’t put down. Having to make a better life for her brothers, after the death of her parents, she sends them on an orphan train to Texas where their mother was from. Meeting up with them a year later, she opens her heart to love. This book had me crying with her!! What a beautifully written book!
March 3, 2018
Family matters
Even women who stand strong need someone to lean on at times and don’t need to feel like a failure when they do
Even women who stand strong need someone to lean on at times and don’t need to feel like a failure when they do
May 26, 2018
Very good!!!
Easy quick read, good plot, enjoyable! I love reading the mail order brides and now the orphan train series, I would recommend
Easy quick read, good plot, enjoyable! I love reading the mail order brides and now the orphan train series, I would recommend
November 8, 2019
Great book
This is a great book. Can not wait to start the next book in the series. I am sure it
Will be as good as this one
This is a great book. Can not wait to start the next book in the series. I am sure it
Will be as good as this one
December 21, 2020
Brothers
This was a very good book written by Anna St. James and I really enjoyed reading it. A parents death, two younger brothers, the Orphan Train, a rancher, the boys learning the ranch, going to Texas, seeing her brothers, needing a house keep and cook, no, very ill brother, working at ranch, having feelings for each other, enjoying the time with her brothers, and him. Will they ever confess their feelings for each other? Will there have a happy ever after? Will they marry? I would recommend this book to everyone. This was a very good book. Buy the book and enjoyed reading it.
This was a very good book written by Anna St. James and I really enjoyed reading it. A parents death, two younger brothers, the Orphan Train, a rancher, the boys learning the ranch, going to Texas, seeing her brothers, needing a house keep and cook, no, very ill brother, working at ranch, having feelings for each other, enjoying the time with her brothers, and him. Will they ever confess their feelings for each other? Will there have a happy ever after? Will they marry? I would recommend this book to everyone. This was a very good book. Buy the book and enjoyed reading it.
December 10, 2019
Great read
I enjoyed this story of a hard working young lady, who like so many people in those time had lost everything, only to find something bigger and better. What a great sweet romance . I look forward to the next in this series. Plan to read as much of this laughers works as I can! Thanks for a good read!
I enjoyed this story of a hard working young lady, who like so many people in those time had lost everything, only to find something bigger and better. What a great sweet romance . I look forward to the next in this series. Plan to read as much of this laughers works as I can! Thanks for a good read!
June 4, 2021
I liked this short, romantic story. Completely clean romance. Rachel and Reese. He's a widower rancher who has taken in her 2 brother as ranch hands. She's moved from St. Louis to start a new life after having lost their parents and sending the boys on an orphan train to Reese. The boys and Reese get her to the Silver Spurs Ranch and she and Reese fall in love. Liked the epilogue.
October 6, 2020
Lovely romance
Nice sweet and gentle love story. She has come to Cactus Gap to reunite with her brothers. She sent them on the Orphan Train to keep them until she could pick them up again
Nice sweet and gentle love story. She has come to Cactus Gap to reunite with her brothers. She sent them on the Orphan Train to keep them until she could pick them up again
July 27, 2019
Sweet, clean, with no real drama.
September 15, 2019
Great
This was a great book to read. I enjoyed all the characters! It was wonderful that they could become a family.
This was a great book to read. I enjoyed all the characters! It was wonderful that they could become a family.
Read
March 17, 2020Great book!
April 10, 2021
Enjoyed this western romance. Clean novella.
May 25, 2021
Charlotte historical novel
I enjoyed the story with no cussing & no sexual content.
I thank the author for that and co recommend the book and the author.
I enjoyed the story with no cussing & no sexual content.
I thank the author for that and co recommend the book and the author.
January 23, 2025
short read
Very short read with a good story line. Well written. Adorable characters and amazing sibling love among the sister and brothers.
Very short read with a good story line. Well written. Adorable characters and amazing sibling love among the sister and brothers.
July 18, 2020
This is a delightful romantic short story with endearing characters. However, there is no mystery or suspense. It is a true character driven plot line wherein the main characters struggle to accept life's circumstances, learn to trust their feelings and to trust their growing affection. Ms. St. James' use of descriptive language is what pulls this story along as she describes scenes; thereby drawing readers into the story.
March 18, 2017
Short read
This is a well written short story. I just got it for a little reading before bedtime. I have to say I enjoyed this wonderful story .
I look forward to reading more stories by this Anna St. James
This is a well written short story. I just got it for a little reading before bedtime. I have to say I enjoyed this wonderful story .
I look forward to reading more stories by this Anna St. James
June 5, 2016
Nice short story
Sweet and clean good for all age groups. Romantic and loving with no sex. Reading the whole series. - Barbie
Sweet and clean good for all age groups. Romantic and loving with no sex. Reading the whole series. - Barbie
March 26, 2017
Historical Western Romance
I am rating this book 5 star's because I enjoyed the story so much!!!!!!, I hope you will enjoy it also!!!!!!
I am rating this book 5 star's because I enjoyed the story so much!!!!!!, I hope you will enjoy it also!!!!!!
July 11, 2022
4,5 ★
April 8, 2016
Sweet story. Love Jacob the little brother.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews