The Marshal's Ready-Made Family

Prairie Courtships #2

by Sherri Shackelford

A Marriage of Necessity

Gentlemen don't court feisty straight shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as she's resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the town's handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl she's come to love.

Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets he's hidden about his past. The lawman can't jeopardize Cora's future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrett's long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Christian, Westerns, Love Inspired Historical, Marriage Of Convenience, Love Inspired

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

See, I was just talking about how I know that Inspirational titles can have chemistry between the protagonists, and this was a lovely example. While there was still no lovemaking (boo), even after the characters were married, I at least got the sense that they were attracted to each other.

Plus, bonus points for having a plain, tom-boyish herione ;)

4/5 Stars

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are times when I really enjoy being part of Reader Service. This was one time. This book comes out in February, and I spent a cozy New Year's Eve at home with my nose buried in it. I might list the various Love Inspired Historicals as read, but I rarely will give it a star rating (unless it's for Book Cover Bingo). But this time, I wanted to.

JoBeth McCoy and Garrett Cain end up being forced to marry after a misunderstanding happens. He's the only family that his little niece has left and a marriage will ensure that he keeps her. JoBeth has come to love the little girl and sees marriage as a chance to become a mother without having a baby. Will the pair find love?

This really was a sweet story, and I loved JoBeth and Garrett. She's a tomboy and he loves her for that. Of course neither of them want to admit their feelings for the other. Anyway, I recommend picking it up in February.

[Janis Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved JoBeth and Garret as a couple cuz they molded together before they even realized how well they complimented each other. (That was a really long, possible run-on, sentence.) The underlying suspense plot kept me guessing, but then again, I was not made aware of the fact that Tom had a brother -who was even worse of a goodfornothing . Sorry, but if you don't want me to ruin it, don't read that hidden part. Anyway, there are facts that would've been useful that weren't put in that seemed a tad random (and convenient) to me.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Jobeth in the first book and I love how her story wrapped up!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for marriage of convenience stories, especially with children involved. JoBeth McCoy is the telegraph operator. When Five year old orphan Cora arrives on the train, JoBeth watches her until her uncle, Marshall Garrett Cain arrives back in town. Jo Beth forms a bond with Cora, and continues to help watch her even when her uncle returns. After all, the jail isn't a good place for playing tea party. When Garret needs a wife in order to keep custody of Cora, Jo Beth volunteers. Garrett has his own secrets, and Jo Beth fears no one will ever see past her tomboy ways. Can they make a marriage work, not just for Cora, but for themselves as well?
It's hard to pinpoint what made this story so good. I loved the western setting. Jo Beth was a really lovable character. She's strong, yet vulnerable. She can outshoot most men in town, and hides trousers under her skirts so she can climb fences and help at her parents' farm. If I had to describe her in one word, I'd say spunky. She has five younger brothers and I loved the teasing that went back and forth between them. The Marshal, Garrett Cain was also a man worth rooting for. He was so afraid of his past, that he couldn't see what he had to offer. He was a sweet father, an unflinching lawman, and quite the kisser ;). I loved the chemistry between Garrett and Jo Beth.
I was excited to read that there was a previous book about Jo Beth's neighbor, Winning the Widow's Heart, and that there will be another book this fall, The Cattleman Meets His Match. Both books have related characters in the same setting, but don't have to be read in order.
I definitely recommend The Marshal's Ready Made Family to fans of western romances. It was a sweet, funny read.

Content: clean
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Marshal's Ready-Made Family from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. A sweet story with a marriage of convenience. The hero is the town marshal who has specialized in cleaning up towns with a corruption problem. The previous sheriff was crooked. To make things more tangled, he's been sent his sister's little girl, like she was a package, after the girl's parents died in a fire. The heroine --the telegraph lady-- has looked after the girl while the hero was away chasing crooks. The heroine is the town tomboy, who wears trousers under her dresses, hates frills and is a better shot with gun and slingshot than any of her five younger brothers. Nobody expects her to marry, least of all herself. Except the hero's stingy cousin is trying to claim the girl, and her small inheritance, for himself, because the hero is in a dangerous profession and a single man. So the heroine, who is crazy about the child, suggests they get married. He's not sure, because he has secrets in his past that he thinks make him unsuited for marriage. But he does need help with the child... This is the least inspirational inspirational I've read yet, in terms of preachiness. It has some good thoughts and themes and it IS an inspirational romance. It's just a lovely story.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

I really like JoBeth's character. She is fun, caring, smart and can out shoot all her brothers. She is not afraid to beat the guys and be true to herself.

Garrett Cain has secrets in his past. He is afraid he will be like his father. He is willing to fight for the best thing for his little niece who just became a orphan.

Cora is a character you wished you could comfort her. She has bonded fast to JoBeth after she arrived in town before her Uncle came for her.

I like JoBeth's big family and I hope we will get to see them again sometime.

This is a clean historical romance set in the Wild West. Marshal Cain is the new Marshall to clean up the area after the last Marshall was arrested.

Garrett and JoBeth are attracted to each other but afraid to show it.

Their are good characters that I cared about. There is plenty of action and drama.

I would read another book from Sherri Shackelford in the future based on this book.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.

publication: February 4th 2014 by Harlequin Love Inspired 288 pages ISBN: 9780373282517

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE MARSHAL'S READY-MADE FAMILY by Sherri Shackelford is an exciting Inspirational Historical Romance Kansas in 1881. Can a marriage of necessity turn into a love of a lifetime? To find out join JoBeth McCoy,a telegraph operator and Marshall Garrett Cain on a journey of discovery, forgiveness, healing, danger, secrets, faith, and finding true love.

Garrett has guardianship of his young niece, Cora, but if he stays single, he may lose her. Enter JoBeth....Taking a leap of faith the two embark of a marriage of necessity, and caring for little Cora who both love dearly. Garrett has a secret from his past he has kept buried for years, when his secret is revealed will he lose everything he has come to cherish? Or will everyone he holds dear, love him even more?

"The Marshal's Ready-Made Family" is a wonderful story of love, faith, forgiveness and healing. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author. The characters where engaging, enduring and lovable. The storyline was intriguing as well as inspiring! A great read! Received as a prize from the author.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marshal's Ready-Made Family was such a cute read! I didn't think I'd love it as much as I did, but it was just so charming and sweet! I liked how JoBeth was confident in who she was (tough and tomboyish) and didn't want to change for a man. I also loved how Marshal loved her for who she was, even if he tried not to let it show.

All in all, a super sweet read with just enough danger to keep you turning pages. :)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

[Linda Hubalek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you can get into because the dialect and story line flow effortlessly, drawing you into the story of a former tomboy that sticks to her values, and a sheriff that becomes the guardian of his niece. A marriage of convenience could become true love between the two, if only the sheriff can come to grip with his past. Several twists and turns in Sherri Shackelford's "The Marshal's Ready-Made Family" keeps the reader wondering how the story will end.

[SuperWendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, sweet story. Hero with a Big Secret becomes guardian to his orphaned niece after his sister dies. Heroine is a Plain Jane tomboy who is always being dismissed by the single men in the community. For historical western romance fans - think of it like a lighter version of a Maggie Osborne story.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a treat to read a story by Sherri Shackelford. 😊 The setting, the characters and the story line are so real that you actually live the story. JoBeth and Garrett 's story while sad and at times a bit scary is a favorite of mine.😉 JoBeth just wants to be loved for herself and Garrett does love her (even if he doesn't know it at first) but is scared his past will repeat itself. Cora is the bridge that brings these two together but it doesn't seem to help. The ending was perfect and exactly how I would have written myself. 😁

[Jennie Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marshal finds two pretty girls when he becomes marshal at a town in Kansas.

Loved being back in Kansas again. Jobeth and Garrett story was sweet. They came together to be parents to little Cora. The start of there marriage was a little rocky. But when Garrett came clean with his past it all changed. Little Cora was a real sweetie. She brought out the best in Garrett and Jo. So happy that Jack Elder had a small part. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

JoBeth who we meet earlier is all grown up and is taking care of sweet Cora until her new guardian Garrett can be found. Garrett is the marshall and needs someone to help with Coras care. JoBeth volunteers and the sweet story of finding love, even with a past begins

[Jerry M Morello · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true love story

I loved Jo in book 1 but even love her character more in this book. I love that honesty wins. Sherri Sackelford puts honesty, humor and heart ache in her stories. Highly recommend if you are looking for clean stories

[Steve Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I've read the first 2 books so far. Absolutely, love this series. Cannot wait to read the next book. Highly recommend, if you like westerns, if you like adventure, a little myth of that hallmark love, you'll love this book.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like how everyone treated JoBeth, including Garrett at times. Poor JoBeth got shoved into a marriage of convenience that she didn't really want, and then Garrett gave her so many mixed signals the entire time and made her feel rejected even though they are MARRIED.

[Magrra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a very good story. The characters development is believable

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very romantic book. Hero was 'hiding' not a terrible secret, the heroine had a lot to do but if felt like filler and the main danger story didn't seem that life and death. Skip.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story! An uncle who suddenly gets custody of his little niece and the woman who volunteered to marry him so he could keep custody! Will it ever work?

[Coffee&Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Beth McCoy is the definition of a tomboy, but one thing is clear: when she meets the Marshall's newly arrived niece, there is a strong emotional connection. The two form an instant bond and are quite the pair.

Jo Beth is the strongest, wilyest, most unafraid woman in Cimmaron Springs. She can out fight, outshoot and out-argue any man in town, which makes her a perfect match for gruff and tumble, no nonsense Marshall Garrett Cain.

Cain has a "dark past"-- he's the son of a man who murdered his wife and then himself, leaving Garrett and his sister Dierdre to fend for themselves. Years later, Deirdre and her husband have perished in a house fire and his nice, Cora, is left to him. Garrett is up for the challenge, but his Uncle Edward has something to say about that. He intends to take Cora unless the Marshall can prove he's a fit parent.

But the Marshall can't. His job is dangerous and crime often doesn't take the night off. There's a group of cowboys that ride through town causing trouble, a drunkard hell bent on making life miserable for Jo and Garrett and an unsolved murder. He needs to acquire a wife, and soon. Enter Jo Beth McCoy, who's willing to marry Garrett out of convenience. She's never been one for love or flirting- all of the boys in town have always laughed at her plain, tomboyish appearance and picked on her unlady like ways. This doesn't matter to Garrett, though. And soon this marriage of convenience becomes so much more than either of them bargained for.

[puppitypup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian Romance Not bad

This is one of those stories that you have to suspend belief in order to enjoy, where the reason the marshall can't give his heart to Jobeth would be easily solved with the tiniest bit of common sense.

You can't have it both ways, either a man is "good enough" be a good father and husband, or he's not. In this book, he's perfectly willing to be one, but scared to death to try the other.

And the logic behind Jo thinking she's not marriage material is even thinner. Because a boy made fun of her at age 13? Most of us recover from that by the time we reach the age of 24.

And why do authors always try to sell us the "no one noticed her beauty" trope? Here, Garrett is immediately captured by Jobeth's beauty, her exotic green eyes, shiny dark hair, perfect skin, tiny little waist and all. And yet the rest of the townfolk never noticed. Hmm.

That said, I liked the writing itself much better than the Christian romance genre as a whole. The characters are warm and likeable, and Jobeth has wonderful parents, always a treat in romance. I wish Cora had played a larger role, she sort of fades into the background.

As for the Christian portion of the romance, there are about half a dozen bible verses sprinkled in, mostly to do with forgiveness. The book doesn't preach or even stick a toe into the water of repentance and grace. And, if you're wondering, it is not Mormon fiction.

The book is clean, no intimate scenes and no bad words, just a couple of kisses.

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherri Shackleford writes "The Marshal's Ready-Made Family

Garrett Cain has a problem, His sister has died and left him gardian of a beautiful little girl,now Cora is not the problem exactly but some folks think a lawman living over top the jail is just not what a little girl needs. A cousin wants to get her so he can have the estate that goes with her but once Garrett met Cora he fell in love and doesn't want to lose her. He is even willing to think about marriage so she will have a home.
Jo Beth lives in town and works the telegraph, she has a bunch of brothers and has always been more boy then girl as she grew up, shucks she had to be to survive. Jo Beth tells it like it is and doesn't hide her feelings. when she sees the problems Garrett has she ask him to marry her...just to help out you know.


Read this story and enjoy a different take on a marriage of convenience.
Thanks Sherri for a story that kept me smiling and hoping for the best for these two all way through.

[Marilyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

JoBeth McCoy is very a outspoken, self assured, and not your typical woman in 1881. She never thought any man could love her with her "tomboyish" ways. Therefore she has never had a desire for a family of her own. She never imagined Cora. When Garrrett Cain, Cora's uncle, and handsome lawman, get custody of Cora he needs help. JoBeth always thinks of other first, even if her heart is possibly changing. Can she love a man, even if he never loves her?

Garrett Cain never imagined himself married or having children. His past is something he can't forget and is afraid he may just turn up like his dad. He never imagined JoBeth could be all he ever wanted. Will he loose her because of his fear or can he confront it and tell her all his secrets and that he loves her?

If you like Historical fiction you will love this book.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Marshall’s Ready-Made Family. Usually my historical romances are all about the British lords and ladies so it was a nice change to move to the Old West. Being a part of the Love Inspired line, it delivers the expected heart-tugging warmth their books are known for.

I really enjoyed The Marshall’s Ready-Made Family. Usually my historical romances are all about the British lords and ladies so it was a nice change to move to the Old West. Being a part of the Love Inspired line, it delivers the expected heart-tugging warmth their books are known for.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress....

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sins of the father and forgiveness are the big issues in this story.

Garrett grew up with a secret that kept him from loving people. He did his job and moved on.

JoBeth has had her own share of secrets, not being able to admit to her mother why she does not want to carry on her calling of being a midwife.

When the two are brought together by one little girl, their lives change. Though they have feelings for each other, they have to avoid them because they are only together to give Garrett's niece a home and someone to love her.

Very well written story that had some suspense and plenty of tension and romance.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a lot of things thrown in that didn't seem necessary. For example, the marshal has to marry in order to keep his niece. That should have been enough, because the heroine volunteered early on for the duty. However, then, the author decided to make it so they had to marry because they were caught together at night. Why? It seemed like the author kept having new ideas to add and tended to forget the main premise of the book.

[steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable but good. The new Marshal in town finds himself guardian of his adorable little niece. Little niece takes a shine to a single women, Marshal and said heroine get married to have a family for the niece but it's just a marriage of convenience until they start to fall in love.

I really enjoyed the main heroine,Jo. She was not afraid of being herself even when she was made to feel less of a woman because she wasn't into dresses and regular "women" duties. I liked her a lot.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met this author when the Heartland Romance Author's group came and spoke at the Millard Branch Library in Omaha. I enjoyed the program and enjoyed the book. Thanks Sherri! Now I am on the lookout for the first book "Winning the widow's heart."

[Catherine Richmond]

When his sister dies and the care of his niece falls to Marshall Garrett, he marries JoBeth McCoy, telegraph operator and tomboy. These two work out a relationship against the backdrop of a crime wave in 1881 Kansas.