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Courting Betsy: (The Ashmore Brothers Book 3) A Western Romantic Mystery
When Betsy Ashmore, adopted sister to a family of four brothers, discovers U.S. Marshal Luke Ashmore is lying wounded in a renegade Indian camp, she can’t refuse to help a brother in peril—especially one she has loved all her life. With the help of a wily Ute Indian, the spunky shopkeeper saddles up to rescue him.
Marshal Luke Ashmore never expected to be bushwhacked while escorting the young boy of a murdered army scout northward to Fort Collins in the Colorado Territory. Outlaws want the boy and believe he knows the location of a hidden treasure.
As Betsy and Two Bears struggle to get the marshal and the child to safety, can they outwit the ruthless outlaws following them? And what will they do with two more orphaned boys they stumble upon along the trail?
Fall in love with the plucky shopkeeper and her three scheming youngsters—all determined to help the U.S. Marshal lasso her heart so they can become a family.
A sweet romantic western and mystery!
Marshal Luke Ashmore never expected to be bushwhacked while escorting the young boy of a murdered army scout northward to Fort Collins in the Colorado Territory. Outlaws want the boy and believe he knows the location of a hidden treasure.
As Betsy and Two Bears struggle to get the marshal and the child to safety, can they outwit the ruthless outlaws following them? And what will they do with two more orphaned boys they stumble upon along the trail?
Fall in love with the plucky shopkeeper and her three scheming youngsters—all determined to help the U.S. Marshal lasso her heart so they can become a family.
A sweet romantic western and mystery!
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
25 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Judy Ann Davis
23 books399 followersAward-winning author Judy Ann Davis began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, she has written for both industry and education.
She writes both contemporary and historical fiction and is best known for “writing romance with a touch of mystery."
Many of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards. Nineteen of them are now collected in UP ON THE ROOF & OTHER STORIES.
To date, she has written five novels and six novellas. Her latest novel, WILLIE, MY LOVE, was a finalist in the American Fiction Awards and the NEST Awards (National Excellence in Story Telling.) Her historical series include RED FOX WOMAN and UNDER STARRY SKIES. Set in the 1868 Colorado Territory, RED FOX WOMAN was a finalist in the International and USA Book Awards.
FOUR WHITE ROSES, a cross-genre romance and mystery with a touch of paranormal, was a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Awards, Book Excellence Awards, and American Fiction Awards
When Judy Ann isn’t behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.
She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc., and Romance Writers of America. She divides her time between Central Pennsylvania and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
JudyAnn’s Blog: https://judyanndavis.blogspot.com/
Judy Ann;s Website: http://www.judyanndavis.com/
She writes both contemporary and historical fiction and is best known for “writing romance with a touch of mystery."
Many of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards. Nineteen of them are now collected in UP ON THE ROOF & OTHER STORIES.
To date, she has written five novels and six novellas. Her latest novel, WILLIE, MY LOVE, was a finalist in the American Fiction Awards and the NEST Awards (National Excellence in Story Telling.) Her historical series include RED FOX WOMAN and UNDER STARRY SKIES. Set in the 1868 Colorado Territory, RED FOX WOMAN was a finalist in the International and USA Book Awards.
FOUR WHITE ROSES, a cross-genre romance and mystery with a touch of paranormal, was a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Awards, Book Excellence Awards, and American Fiction Awards
When Judy Ann isn’t behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.
She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc., and Romance Writers of America. She divides her time between Central Pennsylvania and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
JudyAnn’s Blog: https://judyanndavis.blogspot.com/
Judy Ann;s Website: http://www.judyanndavis.com/
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2023
The Wild West can often be fraught with all kinds of heroic or ‘how will they get out of these messes’ stories. Judy Ann Davis’s book “Courting Betsy”(The Ashmore Brothers, book 3) brings all the best of a typical Western saga to life with the adventures of Betsy and her dashing young law enforcer hero, Luke Ashmore. From the finding of young boys to encounters with Indians and outlaws, Davis transports you to the world of buckboards, general stores, and stagecoach mishaps.
Independent Betsy brings bravery and courage to the wild world with her expertise in gun fighting, riding a horse, and fighting off bad guys from the very beginning of the book. Readers will soon be transported to her general store and the ability to envision the stacks of canned goods and bags of flour. Also believable is the life Luke Ashmore led as a U.S. Marshal during that era of United States history. Joined by some Indian friends, their immediate families, and three orphaned boys, Betsy and Luke soon discover they’ve never lost the love they have for one another after being apart for the past few years. Will life continue as it has, or will all the new variables of life thrust them together with the possibilities of a ready-made family?
Davis’s writing is enticing to those wanting to transform themselves back in time through this historical family saga. From the beauty of the Colorado mountains to the exciting moments of a horse ranch and general store, Davis’s story transports you into the action quickly. All the essential grammatical issues are in place making this a good read.
I loved Betsy’s character most of all. She isn’t your typical out-west maiden but has the courage, brawn, and determination to cause you to want to fight for her happiness and dreams. I found myself intrigued by her fearless courage, ability to speak her mind, and even as a woman not afraid to ‘pull the trigger’ if needed. In addition, you also find her motherly skills sweet and loving enough to consider caring for three boisterous orphaned boys. Luke’s character is filled with stamina and endurance, but also brings a bit of humor and tenderness as often happens in novels that read like a Hallmark special.
Upon reading this book before the first two in the series, I did find myself lost in the history of the characters in the beginning, though Davis did a good job of reminding the reader about each one as the story progressed. I was also shaken by the idea of two adopted people, once being brother and sister, now falling in love. Being a historical writer myself, I do know this isn’t unusual or unheard of in that era, but I still cringed a bit regarding that scenario. The flow of the story seemed a bit awkward at times, and it did seem as though their diets were a little modern. Taking donuts with them on the trail or having desserts at each meal seemed out of step with what would have happened in the 1800s. Beef jerky or hard tack might be more sustaining to travelers, especially on horseback and long trips, but even this was minor. I do wish there had been a bit more conflict between Betsy and Luke throughout the book. Davis wrote that they were in conflict, but I would have liked that fleshed out a bit more.
If you enjoy the Wild West and aspects of this historical period, you will like this story. If you’re a fan of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, or Wagon Train from bygone years, this story is for you. Besides Betsy, I enjoyed the character of Minnie Harnack and her attempt to thwart the ambitions of the spitfire heroine. How Betsy handled her brought me smiles and cheers. I would enjoy reading the first two books in the series. The ending was satisfying and still left me cheering for the heroes and wanting them to live ‘happily ever after.’
Independent Betsy brings bravery and courage to the wild world with her expertise in gun fighting, riding a horse, and fighting off bad guys from the very beginning of the book. Readers will soon be transported to her general store and the ability to envision the stacks of canned goods and bags of flour. Also believable is the life Luke Ashmore led as a U.S. Marshal during that era of United States history. Joined by some Indian friends, their immediate families, and three orphaned boys, Betsy and Luke soon discover they’ve never lost the love they have for one another after being apart for the past few years. Will life continue as it has, or will all the new variables of life thrust them together with the possibilities of a ready-made family?
Davis’s writing is enticing to those wanting to transform themselves back in time through this historical family saga. From the beauty of the Colorado mountains to the exciting moments of a horse ranch and general store, Davis’s story transports you into the action quickly. All the essential grammatical issues are in place making this a good read.
I loved Betsy’s character most of all. She isn’t your typical out-west maiden but has the courage, brawn, and determination to cause you to want to fight for her happiness and dreams. I found myself intrigued by her fearless courage, ability to speak her mind, and even as a woman not afraid to ‘pull the trigger’ if needed. In addition, you also find her motherly skills sweet and loving enough to consider caring for three boisterous orphaned boys. Luke’s character is filled with stamina and endurance, but also brings a bit of humor and tenderness as often happens in novels that read like a Hallmark special.
Upon reading this book before the first two in the series, I did find myself lost in the history of the characters in the beginning, though Davis did a good job of reminding the reader about each one as the story progressed. I was also shaken by the idea of two adopted people, once being brother and sister, now falling in love. Being a historical writer myself, I do know this isn’t unusual or unheard of in that era, but I still cringed a bit regarding that scenario. The flow of the story seemed a bit awkward at times, and it did seem as though their diets were a little modern. Taking donuts with them on the trail or having desserts at each meal seemed out of step with what would have happened in the 1800s. Beef jerky or hard tack might be more sustaining to travelers, especially on horseback and long trips, but even this was minor. I do wish there had been a bit more conflict between Betsy and Luke throughout the book. Davis wrote that they were in conflict, but I would have liked that fleshed out a bit more.
If you enjoy the Wild West and aspects of this historical period, you will like this story. If you’re a fan of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, or Wagon Train from bygone years, this story is for you. Besides Betsy, I enjoyed the character of Minnie Harnack and her attempt to thwart the ambitions of the spitfire heroine. How Betsy handled her brought me smiles and cheers. I would enjoy reading the first two books in the series. The ending was satisfying and still left me cheering for the heroes and wanting them to live ‘happily ever after.’
November 17, 2024
Excellent!
I really enjoy Courting Betsy. A great finale to The Ashmore Brothers series! Each book in series was so satisfying to read. The wonderful characters each found their special one.
I really enjoy Courting Betsy. A great finale to The Ashmore Brothers series! Each book in series was so satisfying to read. The wonderful characters each found their special one.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews