With a will that reads like a piece of fiction, the return of his long-lost brother, and the possibility of losing the family ranch, Micah Cooper calls on high school friend, Sky Baxter, to bail him out of a bad situation.
Though her brain tells her no, Sky’s heart says yes. She accepts Micah’s in-name-only proposal, knowing it’s unlikely anything permanent will come of it. She’s been in love with him since the ninth grade, and if he hasn’t figured it out by now, there’s little chance he ever will.
When an unexpected kiss ignites a spark, giving Micah hope for a possible future with Sky, a tragic accident threatens to take it all away. Torn between following his heart, doing the right thing, and forgiving the past, Micah is lost in a whirlwind of pain and emotions. Will he make it through the next two years, or will a long-kept family secret be the undoing of the Cooper family? (or… be the undoing of all of them?)
Lucie Ulrich took her time becoming a writer. Not much of a reader as a child, writing was of no interest to her--until she joined a church drama team. The desire to write a skit, and not simply act out someone else's was so strong, that once she started, she couldn't seem to stop. That first skit led to her becoming the drama team director, then eventually, the performing arts director at a small Christian school.
Lucie's first novel was penned under a tree in a field in Holland. Though her first, second, and third attempts never saw the light of day, parts of each of them became the foundation for "Broken Vessels," her first published work.
No longer involved with the performing arts, Lucie enjoys going on photo shoots with her husband, and taking long (or short) road trips. She hopes to find inspiration as she and her husband explore the four corners of the United States.
Five Stars Aren't Enough!! Lucie Ulrich doesn't just tell us a story, she brings us into the story! There wasn't a moment, while reading this book, that I didn't feel a connection to all the characters. I felt their pain and joy, their confusion and relief....It is a story about love and loss, tragedy and forgiveness, inspiration and faith. You’ll be teary-eyed many times throughout the story, so keep a box of tissues close by. And you'll become so attached to these characters that you'll be better for it! I found myself becoming so completely involved in the story that I just refused to accept the fact that there could be anything but a happy ending! It is emotional, inspiring and unforgettable. This will be a book I will pick up again and again and will recommend it to everyone I can. I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review and will be forever thankful. Please, please pick up this book! Lucie Ulrich is an insightful and brilliant storyteller and will keep you captivated from start to finish.
I was so emotionally drawn into this story that I had tears and felt physical pain from the hurt feelings invoked reading this beautiful story. It has love, heartache, absolution, forgiveness and acceptance. Pain, loss and anger has caused so many of them to turn away from God and each other as a family. Each will have to seek God's will and follow His guidance before healing can begin.
The story revolved around the Sky Baxter, a woman who had an alcoholic mother, never knew who her father was, and never really had a home life, she is on her own now. Carl Johnston, the owner of the diner where Sky works as a waitress. Carl is like a surrogate father to her. He lost his wife Peggy two years prior in an automobile accident. Micah Cooper runs the ranch that has been in the family for 86 years. He is the same age as Sky, and someone she has had a crush on since 9th grade. Noah Cooper is Micah's estranged older brother, he left Montana for Atlanta when Micah was 11 years old. Sam Cooper is their late Grandfather, his Will set this entire story into motion. Annie is their late mother's sister, she is the backbone that holds the ranch and family together. Morgan Richardson was the woman that Micah had dated for two years but turned down his proposal, she left but has returned.
I received a gifted copy of this book for an honest review. I read so many books, but it has been ages since I was so emotionally moved by a story as I have been by The Rose Ring.
Wow! What a great Book. I decided last night I would read till I was sleepy. Well since I don't have an e reader I was in bed with my laptop reading this book. It was like I couldn't stop. Even though I was sleepy, I kept saying too myself one more chapter. Finally by 4:00 am and only 6 chapters left. I forced myself to shut off the laptop and go to sleep. I finished it a little while ago. It is such a great story. I loved the characters and I think we need a sequel to this because I want to know more of them and what happens next in their lives.
I couldn't put the story away until I had read every word! I loved the characters. I laughed with them and cried with them. The story weaves the longing and struggles we all have when all we want and need is to belong. The answer is given without being preachy..... simply trusting God. Thank you Ms. Ulrich for a delightful and heart warming story.
Oh, what a refreshing read. I loved this book! I cried, I laughed and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. This story is about loss, love, forgiveness and faith. I love that Ms. Ulrich brings faith and God into the story without being preachy. Thank you Ms. Ulrich for such a wonderful story.
Lucie Ulrich writes true-to-life stories with real world complications. Micah Cooper's family has been shattered by a tragic car accident, then torn even further apart by the conditions set forth in their grandfather's will. Sky Baxter has no family, but she wants one, and she has pinned all of her dreams on Micah Cooper. In "The Rose Ring," Ulrich brings Micah, Sky, and an interesting assortment of not-so-minor characters to life via the use of skillful dialogue. The twists and turns of the story were riveting and the ending was satisfyingly realistic. I read this book from cover-to-cover in one day, unable to put it down and compelled to finish it even though I didn't want to see it end.
I really enjoyed reading "The Rose Ring." I found the characters so real.. When a Grandfather leaves instructions in his will as to how & who will inherit his large estate, his two at odds grandsons will be thrown together to figure out the why. The story centers on the two brothers and what they each have to do to either inherit the ranch or a cash payment. This story was about tragedy, loss, forgiveness and the return to faith. I was drawn into the story from the first page and hope there will be a continuing series to come.. I was gifted a copy by the author for my honest opinion which I have given.
I loved this book and would give it more than 5 stars if I could. The author has done a wonderful job of combining romance, faith and family secrets and conflict that made for a story I didn't want to put down after I had started it. It is also a heartwarming story of hurting people finding love, forgiveness and a second chance for happiness. I certainly hope that there will be other books to follow from this author.
I really enjoyed this book! All the characters developed throughout the story. It was encouraging to see how they changed for the better. It held my attention from beginning to end. Loved it and will definitely check out more from this author.
After a lifetime of manipulation from his grandfather, Micah shouldn't have been surprised when the will contained one last manipulation. In order to inherit the ranch he has always loved, he has to marry immediately and work side by side with his brother.
Sky should have been overjoyed at a proposal from the man she'd been in love with for so long. But being realistic, she prepared her heart to be broken.
You will laugh with Sky.. And cry.. Falling in love with her the whole time. An intriguing storyline pulls you through the pages, until you realize you are at the end.
The Rose Ring is one "clean read" you will not want to miss.
Work really got in the way of this story! I was drawn into Micah & Sky's story, as well as the other sub-stories woven into the book. Who knew a marriage in name only could get so sticky? Obviously, everyone but Micah & Sky! Full of joy, sorrow, bitterness, regret & healing forgiveness, with a lovely dose of divine intervention for good measure...and can't wait to find out where Noah's journey takes him!
This is a GREAT audio book to listen to while working! It is captivating with its twists and surprises that I really didn't see coming! Although this is the first book that I have tried by this author, I look forward to reading more of hers.
The reading of a will and the demands of a controlling grandfather lead Micah to ask Sky an impossible favor after he's been jilted by the woman he loves. While he nurses his broken heart, Sky sees a chance to show Micah their friendship can be so much more . . .
After burying her alcoholic mother, Sky is embraced by Micah's family and becomes a catalyst to face down the hurts and secrets of the past - except for Micah, who is lost in his own drama, but trusts his friend to pull him through. The story turns when Sky calls him out for taking her kindness and unconditional love for granted. This story has great depth of emotion. The journies of these characters through a convoluted life have you rooting for them, crying with them, cheering for them and ultimately leaves you hopeful. An inspirational novel, it reminds you that God is there to help, to carry your burdens, without being preachy.
I started this book in audio format, but just couldn't enjoy that narration. So I was able to return the audiobook and I bought the kindle version instead! Mostly, that allowed me to keep the voices from book two (which I had listened to yesterday) in my head. I enjoyed getting the gaps filled that I was missing by reading/listening to, these books out of order. They definitely had several setbacks and obstacles standing in the way of their happy ever after, but my favorite part was the individual developments of their personal relationships with God!
When Micah Cooper stopped to give his friend Sky Baxter a ride in the first few pages of chapter one I couldn't wait to get better acquainted with these characters. I was immediately drawn into this story. The surprises never stopped coming - all the way to the end. You won't figure this one out and you'll love every twist and turn. The dialogue was so natural, the scenes were cute and clever, sweet and touching! Don't miss this one! You'll love every minute! I'm on to book two in this series!