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Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years #2
A Family for the Rancher
From Neighbor to Daddy
Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…
After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.
Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…
After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 9, 2016
23 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 11, 2017
Edmund, a rancher, has been a loner his entire life. In his childhood, it was forced on him. But now he enjoys the solitude. But when he feels God nudging him to check on widow Lula May and her five children, he obeys. His obedience lands him right in the middle of a bustling family and all of the joys and problems that go with it. Edmund now needs to decide which is more important - solitude or love.
This was such a sweet story. The author did a great job of creating warmth, tension, or frustration as the scene warranted. There were a lot of characters, but each of them stood out and didn't blend into each other. I loved the interaction between the siblings and their mother. The suspense was just enough to make the story interesting, but didn't detract from the romance. The author did a great job of weaving faith and the importance of family into the story without it being preachy. I especially liked how she showed that family is who you choose to love, not the ones who share your genetics. Overall, this was a clean romantic story that readers of Christian fiction or historical romance will love.
This was such a sweet story. The author did a great job of creating warmth, tension, or frustration as the scene warranted. There were a lot of characters, but each of them stood out and didn't blend into each other. I loved the interaction between the siblings and their mother. The suspense was just enough to make the story interesting, but didn't detract from the romance. The author did a great job of weaving faith and the importance of family into the story without it being preachy. I especially liked how she showed that family is who you choose to love, not the ones who share your genetics. Overall, this was a clean romantic story that readers of Christian fiction or historical romance will love.
August 10, 2016
This is the second book in the continuity series Lone Star Cowboy League. I've enjoyed this series. This story is well written, faith based, and heartwarming. I know you'll enjoy it.
Widow Lula May Barlow is trying to run her husband's ranch. He had been ill for the last three years, had died recently, and she had managed to carry on. She has two step sons and three children of her own. Managing to keep her keep her struggles to herself, she is shocked when her next door neighbor shows up at her door. Becoming defensive just because of his presence she agrees to let her oldest son attend a young ranchers club but only if the rancher allows her to feed him dinner. Now suddenly her abusive uncle threatens to come, take over her ranch, and her children. She had taken a necklace that her mom had given her when she left and her uncle is saying she stole it from him. Now the uncle is going to have her arrested.
Edmund McKay is a confirmed bachelor. He likes living a solitary, quiet life. He had a rough childhood and has no desire to have a family and a noisy home. He had agreed to teach a few kids how to do ranch work. It was a chance to pay back the cowboy who had helped him become a man. He felt he should ask the shy boy next door but it soon became clear to him that God called him to protect his mother. He finally agrees to take her to the newly formed cowboy league to save their ranches from rustlers.
These two have had bad childhoods, both had been abused and unloved. On top of that Lula May had been a mail-order bride and hadn't been loved by her husband. How could they open up and trust each other as her children turn into matchmakers? God has a plan for these two and plan they never knew they wanted but was wonderful. God has a plan for us too. A plan much greater than you have ever dreamed of.
Widow Lula May Barlow is trying to run her husband's ranch. He had been ill for the last three years, had died recently, and she had managed to carry on. She has two step sons and three children of her own. Managing to keep her keep her struggles to herself, she is shocked when her next door neighbor shows up at her door. Becoming defensive just because of his presence she agrees to let her oldest son attend a young ranchers club but only if the rancher allows her to feed him dinner. Now suddenly her abusive uncle threatens to come, take over her ranch, and her children. She had taken a necklace that her mom had given her when she left and her uncle is saying she stole it from him. Now the uncle is going to have her arrested.
Edmund McKay is a confirmed bachelor. He likes living a solitary, quiet life. He had a rough childhood and has no desire to have a family and a noisy home. He had agreed to teach a few kids how to do ranch work. It was a chance to pay back the cowboy who had helped him become a man. He felt he should ask the shy boy next door but it soon became clear to him that God called him to protect his mother. He finally agrees to take her to the newly formed cowboy league to save their ranches from rustlers.
These two have had bad childhoods, both had been abused and unloved. On top of that Lula May had been a mail-order bride and hadn't been loved by her husband. How could they open up and trust each other as her children turn into matchmakers? God has a plan for these two and plan they never knew they wanted but was wonderful. God has a plan for us too. A plan much greater than you have ever dreamed of.
September 5, 2016
A Family For The Rancher is number 2 of a 3 set series called Lone Star Cowboy League. This book is by Louise M. Gouge. It is a Historical Romance taking place in 1895 in Texas. Lula May Barlow lost her husband several months ago. She is raising her three children and her husbands two older boys. She trains horses and sells them. We found out in the first book in the set about someone stealing cattle and they also burned a barn. That is an on going story in the series. Lula May's uncle located her and wants her to sign the deed to the ranch over to him. Rancher Edmund McKay stops in to help Lula Man around the ranch. This is a very good book. A must read. So much goes on in this book. Can't wait for the third and last book in the series to come out.
July 17, 2016
The second in the series, this was a great read from Louise Gouge. It can be read as a standalone, as the necessary details from the first book are quickly summarized in this one.
I loved how strong Lula May was, and how it came across as prickly - mostly because I can relate! Edmund made for a sweet hero, and his confusion at times was so adorable, I wanted to hug him. This slow burn relationship was one that would clearly survive life's hardships - important for two ranchers trying to make a go of it in the West!
I recommend this book for everyone who loves historical westerns.
I loved how strong Lula May was, and how it came across as prickly - mostly because I can relate! Edmund made for a sweet hero, and his confusion at times was so adorable, I wanted to hug him. This slow burn relationship was one that would clearly survive life's hardships - important for two ranchers trying to make a go of it in the West!
I recommend this book for everyone who loves historical westerns.
June 12, 2022
Great book!
February 17, 2025
Awesome read
May 19, 2017
I loved how Edmund and Lula May connected and how he just fit in with her kids. Such great pioneers! Love this authors books and think she did an amazing job in this continuity series. It's got to be a challenge to write these. Incredible story and really fun to read.
October 6, 2016
Quick, easy read. Lula Mae learned the hard way to stand up for herself so when Rancher Edmund tried to help she was not too appreciative. She came to value his help when he made it clear that he respected her. He took her thoughts and wishes into consideration and didn't think they were silly. In fact, he "nominated" her to lead their version of the cattleman's association. Edmund was great with her children and she grew to love him. Thank goodness he returned her affection though when her uncle came to town it got kind of dicey. Great read!
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August 6, 2016"excellent! These books not only are written well but they also have a continuing mystery unfolding.
can't wait to read the next Lonestar book" (Review on Harlequin.com)
Miniseries: Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years
can't wait to read the next Lonestar book" (Review on Harlequin.com)
Miniseries: Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years
May 16, 2019
I loved this book. Miss Lula's uncle would have met my foot in his backside if he came into my house and did that. Every time I read a section with him in it I would get angry and I just hated him. The cattle rustler was named and it wasn't really a surprise but what of the other people in his life?
August 31, 2016
A sweet read, riddled with a bit of intrigue. It was fun to watch the characters learn and grow, with the kids' matchmaking thrown in. I could easily picture this in movie form as I read...kind of a Little House on the Prairie meets Gunsmoke. An enjoyable read.
December 29, 2016
Couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next book. May have to go back & read the contemporary stories now that I've read about their ancestors. Curious how the big headed McCay in the present time came from the shy McCay ancestor.
October 4, 2016
I liked it, but I dont think I would say that I loved it.
January 13, 2017
Great, fast read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews