El Ranchero

Redbourne #1

by Kelli Ann Morgan

El acuerdo era compartir el rancho, no su corazón...

ABBY MCCALLISTER puede montar y disparar mejor que cualquier hombre que haya conocido, pero cuando la amenaza de perder su rancho la obliga a encontrar un marido, ella no está preparada para el misterioso desconocido que la toma de la mano y evoca en ella un repentino deseo de ser una dama digna de ir de su brazo.

Él ha jurado protegerla. No podía hacer eso si ella se casaba con otro hombre...

COLE REDBOURNE, inmerso en la culpa por el accidente que se llevó la vida de su mejor amigo, descubre que no hubo nada accidental en ello. Cuando parte para Silver Falls, Colorado, para cumplir el último deseo de su amigo y encargarse de su asesino, lo último que espera es encontrar esperanza otra vez, oculta en el interior de su improvisada novia.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2012

About the author

KELLI ANN MORGAN is a bestselling author whose western historical romance books have been downloaded near a quarter of a million times and maintain a better than four-star rating.

Kelli Ann lives in beautiful Northern Utah with her wonderfully creative and witty husband, her fun and imaginative teenage son, and two very playful cats.

Reviews

[Zaanodes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christian Fiction - Not categorized as such. Misleading.

The story is good so far. I have not finished it yet but I will. I ALWAYS check the genres and this one is MISLEADING! If the book had been categorized honestly, I would give a different rating. If the author is responsible for the category listing, that will definitely say something about her Christian ethics.

The amount of faith-related passages qualify this as a Christian novel. There is much more than a passing mention of one Christian activity or another. For example: The heroine specified a Christian husband. Multiple Christian prayers when not in church. Christian church service described in depth.

Edited to add: I finished the book. I liked it well enough that I am considering the next book. Now that I know that it is Christian fiction, I can make a decision with full knowledge.

[Pikolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Historia entretenida pero la trama romántica muy floja, los protagonistas apenas interactúan y no hay forma de creerse ese amor y la trama de suspense ha estado bien pero el final demasiado enrevesado en cuanto a los motivos y demasiado facilón en cuanto a como se resuelve.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debuting author Kelli Ann Morgan kicks off her Redbourne Series, a satisfying new foray into historical western/romance, with a charming offering titled The Rancher. Each book in the series is set to center on one of seven sons of the fictitious, wealthy Redbourne family. The Rancher features middle-born Redbourne son, Cole, as its protagonist, and readers will be pleased with Morgan’s choice.

From the back of the book:

The deal was to share the ranch, not her heart...

ABBY MCCALLISTER can ride and shoot better than any man she’s ever met, but when the threat of losing her ranch forces her to find a husband, she is unprepared for the mysterious stranger who takes her hand and evokes in her a sudden desire to be a lady fit for his arm.

He'd sworn to protect her. He couldn't do that if she married someone else...

COLE REDBOURNE, immersed in guilt over the accident that claimed his best friend, discovers there was nothing accidental about it. When he sets out for Silver Falls, Colorado, to fulfill his friend’s dying wish and to flush out his killer, the last thing he expected was to find hope again disguised as his impromptu bride.



One stinging requirement stands between Cole and a lofty inheritance of prime ranchland. He must marry. There are plenty of eligible young ladies willing to oblige the handsome, rugged heir, but Cole is burdened with guilt following the murder of his best friend, Alaric, and blames himself for not being there to save his friend.



Two duties must be satisfied before Cole can think of moving forward with his own life. He must avenge Alaric, whose final cryptic words lead Cole to the Silverhawk Ranch where Cole believes he will find Alaric’s murderer—and he must find and protect Alaric’s intended—a young lady Cole knows only by name—Abby.



The book opens with a humorous scenario incongruent to the action and tone of the remainder of the book. Abigail McCallister can’t reconcile why her widowed, loving father has consigned her to such an unjust fate. Devoid of suitors, and better equipped to break a horse than woo a man, Abigail must find a willing groom and marry by Friday or agree to be shipped away from her beloved Silverhawk Ranch to an aunt in Denver. She knows she lacks the feminine charms men seek, but judging her holdings in the Silverhawk to be a tempting dowry, she heads to town and offers herself as a prize to a willing suitor.


The reader spends several chapters fretting over the chaos about to ensue, and Morgan paces the action nicely. Her writing style is smooth and easy, and her research into 1880 Colorado ranch life consistently dropped delightful nuggets of information on every page.


The tension ramps up quickly as do the number of questions to be answered. Morgan’s plot twists tease with a wide array of possible solutions that leave the reader guessing and head-scratching to the end.

Again, though we enjoy the journey, it is the characters and their struggles against man, against nature, and against their own demons, that really keep the pages turning. By the time the book finishes we are intrigued by all the Redbourne brothers. Morgan has done an excellent job juicing the salivaries for the next book in the series, The Bounty Hunter, Rafe’s Story, which is being readied for publication.


This satisfying clean-read western is suitable for readers of all ages and either gender. The Rancher can be purchased on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.

[AKA · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the single most convoluted historical I have ever read (and I have read most of Stephanie Laurens bastion club novels, so I know of which I speak). The first few chapters read like "24: The western edition" jumping back and forth in time unnecessarily. The mystery is ridiculous and in the end the villain and their reasoning is laughably silly. And the romance? What romance?! The hero spends more time with his brothers (and boy do they come out of the wood work every time he needs a save) than he does with our very one dimensional heroine.
So glad it was free!

[LAWonder10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean, delightful historical romance!
It was not totally predictable. There were a few
twists the author incorporated. The family of male
main characters were very individual and alluring.

The story was about two individuals from a strong
family foundation, yet from very different circumstances.
There was some slight humor and quite a bit of action.
It never dragged on.

There was, of course, good vs. evil; right vs. wrong...
as in most good stories.

The author briefly introduces the larger family but then
they pop up unexpectedly sporadically throughput the book.

I hope this is only one in the saga. I am definitely going
to check this possibility out.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this story. It was a refreshing change from the average love stories I normally read. The two main characters Abbey & Cole come together in a very unusual way. Hint love had nothing to do with it but a little spark did. But, you as a reader will get the joy of seeing it blossom. As you do you will encounter laughter, tears, fears & tenderness along the way with cowboy actions in solving a mystery. The extended family Abbey & Cole have will become near & dear to your heart as well.

[Irish Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! But then, anything Kelli Ann Morgan writes is read-worthy. This book was hard to put down, with so many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The two hard-headed main characters, Cole and Abby, seemed destined for a lifetime of hits and misses. But you have to stick with them because you just know they are made for each other. And I thoroughly loved the guy banter between Cole and his brothers. Ms. Morgan hits it right on the nail. Now excuse me - I have to finish book 2 in this series, The Bounty Hunter. It's so good!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The heroine was smart and capable in the beginning but quickly became too stupid to live. The gaping holes in her logic were painful to read. The hero was a bit better, but still pretty oafish. Both characters waffled on the relationship too much to be believable.

[Cass · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a terrible book.

The writing in and of itself was okay, but it was infused with a lot of horrible, senseless cliches (what the bloody hell is "fire blond" hair? Does she have strawberry blond hair? Or is it literally on fire? Each are completely plausible). What kept me reading at all was the fact that, for a book of this astonishingly low caliber, the main characters are pretty well fleshed out, and substance abounds.

The trouble is that it's all painfully amateur and the obsession with substance takes away from the actual point of the story that makes it fascinating: the essentially arranged marriage turning into love when neither really expected it. OF COURSE, the attraction is instant, so I suppose I should have expected that.



But what really bothered me was the fact that Cole decides he's going to be the chivalrous husband who will not deflower his wife until he's won her heart, when in fact he does not yet love her himself, only desires her, and does not even discuss withholding sex with her, first. In almost every, if not all, stories that I have read that actually qualify as excellent (think Lisa Kleypas' The Devil in Winter), even if it's awkward and difficult, the couple discusses this with each other or strikes a bargain before running off to get married. And I find this to be a particularly disturbing choice he makes if this is actually supposed to be Christian lit. But I won't get on that soapbox, even though I really want to. I'll just put it this way: clean romance does not qualify it as good. Just like straight up smut is usually beyond terrible.

Skip over all the needless drama in between marriage and the end: all the shenanigans are resolved, and they're finally going to behave like a married couple. Guess what? They just do it, still no discussion about any of it. I'm not okay with that. Love can rage all you want, but you gotta talk about it, especially after all the crap that went down in this book. It's unreal.

0/10 Would not do again.

[Tonya Boutwell Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Abby is a strong woman. She works hard for her ranch. Alaric was the man she fell in love with. He left her but promised to return. He never did. Her father wants to send her away to find a husband. Her father hires a new ranch manager Cole Redbourne.

Abby doesn't want to leave so she goes to town and gets herself a husband Cole Redbourne. They have secrets they must deal with for them to find true love. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was almost a DNF for me but I kept reading just to see how it would end. I agree with other reviewers that it had gaps and seemed all over the place. I didn't like how obvious it was. The same tired, overused tropes in western romance abound in this story. The heroine was (razor thin) borderline TSTL for me also. 1.25 stars

[Carol and Gary Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one truly fine book. I admit I enjoy westerns but this one was just super. Everyone had a secret which made for fun plot development. The interaction among the brothers was especially interesting. I want the next book in the series now!

[Poonam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. Love the cowboy Cole Redbourne and all his handsome sexy brothers too. I was already hooked from the start to finish with no breaks in between.Hoping I get more books by this author so that I can enjoy reading other Redbourne brothers romance stories.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a free book for my Kindle and the first book I had read by this author and I LOVED it!! It was adventurous, funny and heartwarming!! I have already purchased others in this series and plan to start reading the next one immediately.

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, honestly I was worried about the contents of this book and almost passed it up. Yes it has a hot pair of absconded the front, but oooh it's good. Clean, yummy mysterious and the underdog girl gets the guy. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. Great characters and held my attention beginning to end. I really like all the brothers that was in this book and can't wait to read more about them.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great book..... Would read more from this author!! PS.... Sexy cowboys were a bonus!

[Laura V.]

Demasiado telenovelesco para mí >>.<<
Igual, hay algo en su forma de narrar que no me gusta.

[Patty G Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, clean

[Amparo TD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia entretenida, con una chica que no esta de acuerdo con los cánones de que las mujeres solo pueden estar en casita cuidando a la familia. Ella quiere ser ranchera y seguir la ilusión de su madre con la cría de caballos. El un hombre que le han hecho daño y que no cree mucho en el amor. Dos persona que se junta por una apuesta entre ella y su padre, y una propuesta de ella a toda una ciudad.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Happiness is a choice." Faced with an ultimatum from her father, Abigail McCallister went to town to get married. Her father had said that if she didn’t find a husband within a week she would be shipped off to her aunt in Denver. The thought of leaving her home, the SilverHawk Ranch, and leaving everything she’d known and loved behind was unacceptable. Desperate times spawn desperate actions; she would put herself on the auction block and take what she was offered. Unbeknownst to her there were strangers in town and her life would take a sudden shape she’d never dreamed of. Cole Redbourne and his oldest brother Raine were driving horses from their ranch in Kansas to a buyer in Colorado. Marriage was the last thing on Cole’s mind when he and his brother came into Silver Falls but when this strange, whimsical yet also proud and strong girl laid herself bare on the steps of the church and offered herself to anyone willing to marry her, he couldn’t resist. Being part of a large family (Raft, Levi, William, Raine, Ethan and Taggert…seven boys in all and a younger sister, Hannah [one has to scourer the entire book to discover the names of his siblings]) he had always been surrounded by people who loved and protected him. His actions were spontaneous and not well thought out. He too didn’t know what his impromptu decision would lead to. This story could have flowed from the pens of the masters; Max Brand, Zane Grey or Louis L’Amour. These greats have stood alone for decades upon an acme seldom reached or yet to be past by others that have tried. Kelli Ann Morgan has done the unthinkable and written a story that is equal or better than those western-writing icons of the past.

[Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising new start to a series. The Redbourne family is sure to keep us entertained. A lot happens in this book and you're not sure what is going to happen next but Ms. Morgan does leave enough hints so you're not shocked in the end. I would've liked the plan and motivations behind everything explained a bit more especially since it impacted so many different lives. I haven't read the next so maybe it will shed some light...

If you like feisty females, sexy cowboys, and meddling family members with a dash of G ratted romance this book is for you.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing!

Cole and Abby are enchanting. Cole's trying to find who killed his best friend, Alaric, and meets Alaric's love, Abby. She is a spirited woman who is the soul of the ranch. They marry under false pretenses, but fall in love anyway.
This is a historical cowboy romance that could have been real based in the late 1900's. The west was still untamed and was not always easy.
The book shows how true love can be found even in those days when by chance meetings. The characters are built with strong personalities and the brothers are a site to be reckoned with.

[Lo-ruhama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like western romances as they generally have strong female characters that are a little on the naive side but are willing to set out and get what they want (plus they know how to shoot). I enjoyed the mysterious, conspiracy afoot in the plot along with the fact that the strong and capable male lead had brothers (which tends to mean more books in the series!).

It was a simple read but I enjoyed it and look forward to her other books.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story but too many gaps. If this is book 1, why reference the lives of the other brothers but not give any background information. The author mentions, more than a few times, that Cole lived in England and has a brother there. And then..... Maybe there are previous standalone books that will give additional clues.

[Rustye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical western that had a little of everything in it. Romance, a little taste of life back in the day and suspense! I do not consider this a "religious" book at all. All of the characters are great and well written. Can't wait for the next book!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know this was going to be a historical romance. It was set in the late 1800's. Besides only using horses, it really just felt like a ranching romance. I really liked the characters and would be very interested to read more on these sexy brothers.

[Helen Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

Once I started couldn't stop. Reached out and grand you almost in first chapter. You hate too stop reading for any reason. can't wait to find out what happens next and how it all fits together.

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a cute story, some gaps in the back story so sometimes i felt like i was starting in the middle of a series. Might read the next one.

[Debbie Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Can't wait to read the next one.