What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cimarron Legacy #0.5
The Boden Birthright
After the death of his wife, prosperous businessman Chance Boden heads west along the Santa Fe Trail with his son to escape the powerful control of his in-laws. He has plans to establish his own ranch, but instead he finds work with Frank Chastain, owner of a vast amount of land.Chance doesn't want to work for anyone, but Frank's beautiful daughter, Veronica, gives him reason to delay buying his own holdings. With winter coming, no home in which to live, and Veronica's offer to care for young Cole while Chance learns the ways of ranching in the desert, Chance has little choice but to accept the Chastains' offer to stay on.When Frank is attacked, his last wish is that Chance marry his daughter, but after dealing with his in-laws, Chance doesn't want anyone coming between him and his son. Then, before Frank dies, his precarious hold on the land he received as part of an old Spanish Land Grant forces him to make a desperate choice to save Veronica's inheritance--and also gives the men who attacked Frank a reason to come after his legacy.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2016
376 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Mary Connealy
113 books2,507 followersMary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 10, 2016
Just what I was in the mood for. It's not a trip to the past in the way true historical fiction is, nor is it an in-depth romance...just a short novella about the older generation's story before the new book comes out. It's evidently meant as a short appetizer, not an involved masterpiece, and I have to say...it does its job well. (As though I wasn't already planning on reading the new book, but...well, you probably know what I mean!)
August 4, 2016
I can see I'm definitely in the minority here-- being the only person on GR so far to rate this book at only 2 stars-- but I couldn't give it more than that.
Maybe I'm just in a funk? I did feel like I was being kinda nit-picky at times, but I just didn't really enjoy this book. Certainly not as much as I usually enjoy Mary Connealy's books. I know it's a novella and I shouldn't expect quite as much from it as I would a full-size novel so I went into it with that in mind. Still, I was surprised by how rushed and shallow it was. I didn't realize until later just how short it actually is-- only 72 pages? If I had known that, I wouldn't have even bothered opening it up. I considered giving it 3 stars... until I got to the ending, which was quite abrupt and disappointing.
Maybe I'm just in a funk? I did feel like I was being kinda nit-picky at times, but I just didn't really enjoy this book. Certainly not as much as I usually enjoy Mary Connealy's books. I know it's a novella and I shouldn't expect quite as much from it as I would a full-size novel so I went into it with that in mind. Still, I was surprised by how rushed and shallow it was. I didn't realize until later just how short it actually is-- only 72 pages? If I had known that, I wouldn't have even bothered opening it up. I considered giving it 3 stars... until I got to the ending, which was quite abrupt and disappointing.
May 10, 2016
Ready for the full novel to release!!!
December 9, 2022
1852 New Mexico
This novella sets up The Cimarron Legacy Series. Especially enjoyed the opening chapter.
This novella sets up The Cimarron Legacy Series. Especially enjoyed the opening chapter.
October 21, 2019
I enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting and the setting well done. There were a couple times when the story felt a little modern, but it wasn’t so much that I was overly bothered by it. The end of the story didn’t feel like things were wrapped up completely, but perhaps that is because it’s the start to a series. It didn’t end on a cliffhanger or without closure though.
I wouldn’t recommend this story to anyone under 16 because of some of the themes and things mentioned.
I wouldn’t recommend this story to anyone under 16 because of some of the themes and things mentioned.
March 27, 2018
***3.5 stars***
This novella is an introduction to a series. I enjoyed this quick glimpse in the setting and life of the people of Cimarron Ranch. There were a few loose end, I look forward to seeing if they are part of the series.
This was FREE for kindle.
This novella is an introduction to a series. I enjoyed this quick glimpse in the setting and life of the people of Cimarron Ranch. There were a few loose end, I look forward to seeing if they are part of the series.
This was FREE for kindle.
July 6, 2016
Ready to start the first book now!
July 29, 2018
This was a quick and enjoyable read. I liked the romance, which was the main plot. There is also a mystery, but that is a minor plot at the end. I didn't like that part of the story as much as the romance.
November 15, 2022
This was very short and fast moving, but set the background for the series. The little boy Cole made me laugh a few times.
Looking forward to reading the series.
Looking forward to reading the series.
May 15, 2016
"I will take care of you. You're safe. You're not alone."
Chance Boden fled a luxurious lifestyle in Boston under a false identity in order to give his young son the life he deserved. Recently widowed and comfortably wealthy, Chance finds himself working on a quarter million acre ranch in New Mexico for a man named Frank Chastain. When tragedy strikes, Frank's beautiful daughter, Veronica, is faced with a life-changing decision. Her very birthright depends on her answer.
Mary Connealy has written an outstanding prequel to her new series, "The Cimarron Legacy".
Chance Boden fled a luxurious lifestyle in Boston under a false identity in order to give his young son the life he deserved. Recently widowed and comfortably wealthy, Chance finds himself working on a quarter million acre ranch in New Mexico for a man named Frank Chastain. When tragedy strikes, Frank's beautiful daughter, Veronica, is faced with a life-changing decision. Her very birthright depends on her answer.
Mary Connealy has written an outstanding prequel to her new series, "The Cimarron Legacy".
July 24, 2016
This was a fun introduction to the series. I am definitely excited to begin reading the full length novels! I really enjoyed this story and would have loved it to be just a bit longer (I simply wasn't ready to be done with Chance and Veronica's story). But, it did it's job to make me anticipate the upcoming books.
March 3, 2017
Well done for such a small book
One of my the reasons I don't like novellas is the simple fact that there isn't room to develop the characters or the world in which they live.
Spiritually, this is Christian religious fiction. It's nicely done, but certainly not the focus of the tale.
One of my the reasons I don't like novellas is the simple fact that there isn't room to develop the characters or the world in which they live.
Spiritually, this is Christian religious fiction. It's nicely done, but certainly not the focus of the tale.
October 22, 2019
Couldn't finish this one. The comments from four-year-old Cole on "how Pa and my first Mama used to sleep together" along with Chance's reflections on a certain time he'd walked in on them were definitely giving me mental images that did not need to be there.
February 13, 2017
This is a cute short story and I can't wait for the first book of this series
April 22, 2018
He was going so far west, God was going to have to come hunting him, let alone Priscilla Bradford. And Chance was going to go hunting God. He’d neglected God, as well as his son.
Since I have the entire Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy to read, I decided to start with the prequel novella. This sets up the background nicely for me! Chance Boden doesn't deal well with his grief after his wife passed away. Leaving the care of his son Cole in the hands of his in-laws, who treat him poorly. Deciding to leave at the first opportunity and go as far West as the trail will take them, he ends up in New Mexico under the roof of Francois Chastian. And as they say, from there the rest is history! Of course he has a beautiful daughter Veronica (aka Ronnie) who falls in love with little Cole first and marries Chance later after tragedy strikes. But really these two had an underlying attraction to fan the fire of love. An enjoyable short story to set the pace of this series.
I really like prequels because it gives you a glimpse of what happens before the full length novels! I look forward to seeing Cole grow up and Chance running the Cimarron Ranch in No Way Up, and meeting other characters in all three stories.
Since I have the entire Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy to read, I decided to start with the prequel novella. This sets up the background nicely for me! Chance Boden doesn't deal well with his grief after his wife passed away. Leaving the care of his son Cole in the hands of his in-laws, who treat him poorly. Deciding to leave at the first opportunity and go as far West as the trail will take them, he ends up in New Mexico under the roof of Francois Chastian. And as they say, from there the rest is history! Of course he has a beautiful daughter Veronica (aka Ronnie) who falls in love with little Cole first and marries Chance later after tragedy strikes. But really these two had an underlying attraction to fan the fire of love. An enjoyable short story to set the pace of this series.
I really like prequels because it gives you a glimpse of what happens before the full length novels! I look forward to seeing Cole grow up and Chance running the Cimarron Ranch in No Way Up, and meeting other characters in all three stories.
March 12, 2017
Enjoyable short tale. Can't wait to start reading the main series.
October 14, 2017
3.5 Stars
An enjoyable read and good introduction to the series.
An enjoyable read and good introduction to the series.
Want to read
September 19, 2018💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/19/18)!💝
January 6, 2020
This was a fun little read. Some crazy twists to the story that are a bit unbelievable and it's left with unanswered questions... but I suppose those are covered in the series this precedes. Not sure I'll read the series, Connealy can get a bit too descriptive(with her romance), but this one was in a book with other novellas and it was very clean.
June 10, 2020
OK, so, another series I need to read. This was a free book and it was enough to hook me on this author. I will definitely get the next ones in the series.
May 14, 2018
Review Great prequel to the Cimarron Legacy. Bonus chapters of next book! Great writing as usual from Mary Connealy .
Come ride along with Chance Boden as he and his four year old son try to escape the clutches of the overbearing parents of his deceased wife.
Chance and Cole begin an adventure to carve out a place for themselves on a ranch in Texas. Little did he know he would find the perfect wife for himself and a mother for his son.
Tragedy strikes just as he is starting to realize his feelings for Veronica Chastain
The puzzle to a murder is not solved by the end of the novella but that sets up the intrigue for the rest of the series.
Mary Connealy is a master with dialogue. I've always loved her writing and can't wait to see what is in store for the Boden family. Next up is : No Way Up!
Come ride along with Chance Boden as he and his four year old son try to escape the clutches of the overbearing parents of his deceased wife.
Chance and Cole begin an adventure to carve out a place for themselves on a ranch in Texas. Little did he know he would find the perfect wife for himself and a mother for his son.
Tragedy strikes just as he is starting to realize his feelings for Veronica Chastain
The puzzle to a murder is not solved by the end of the novella but that sets up the intrigue for the rest of the series.
Mary Connealy is a master with dialogue. I've always loved her writing and can't wait to see what is in store for the Boden family. Next up is : No Way Up!
May 12, 2016
I've read at least half a dozen books by Mary Connealy and consider myself a fan. This one was mildly disappointing. It still showcases some of the dry humor that I love. But the plot is a little choppy. It skips ahead awkwardly in a few places, like she wanted to write it as a full-length book and simply cut out some chapters to shorten it. I enjoyed the novella, but I think the sample chapters at the end made me more interested in the next book than the novella itself.
May 7, 2017
I love Mary Connealy. Her books are always excellent. I love the concept of a novella, but I always feel sad when it ends because it's so short! This book was no exception to what I've come to expect from Mary Connealy and I look forward to reading more in this series.
May 10, 2016
A fun introduction to Mary Connealy's new series. And the price is right - this novella is free. I fell in love with the characters and can't wait for the series to start!
July 21, 2016
Great story
I loved this story. In fact, I can't wait to read the series. This had romance and mystery. It was a fun book to read and I recommend it.
I loved this story. In fact, I can't wait to read the series. This had romance and mystery. It was a fun book to read and I recommend it.
September 11, 2016
Interesting introduction to this new series.
November 22, 2019
Read again in 2019 to get background as now have #1 in series!
May 16, 2018
The Boden Birthright – Cimarron Legacy Series Novella by Mary Connealy
Boston, Mass August 1852 / New Mexico Territory
The Bradford family is extremely wealthy has been caring for the grandson Cole Boden ever since his mother and baby sister passed away during childbirth. Chance Boden, Cole’s father, lives in the opulent house but grief holds him hostage. One day, he snaps back to reality and decides to start fresh with his son. They head off with a plan and stop along the way at the home of Frank Chastain and his daughter, Veronica who just happen to own 1/4 million acres in New Mexico Territory. There is an instant attraction between Veronica and Chance, and she is especially taken with his son Cole. Frank becomes a good friend to Chance, and teaches him the ways of ranching in this hard wilderness. The story is packed with details and takes an abrupt turn forcing big decisions. Plenty of prayer and presence of God. I cried a lot and really enjoyed it. Originally pub. in 2016 as an eNovella – but now available in the multi-author paperback collection ALL FOR LOVE . I now want to look into and read the rest of the series!
☆☆☆☆☆
Copy provided by Bethany House Publishing with no other compensation. I am not required to provide a favorable review and my opinion is my own.
Boston, Mass August 1852 / New Mexico Territory
The Bradford family is extremely wealthy has been caring for the grandson Cole Boden ever since his mother and baby sister passed away during childbirth. Chance Boden, Cole’s father, lives in the opulent house but grief holds him hostage. One day, he snaps back to reality and decides to start fresh with his son. They head off with a plan and stop along the way at the home of Frank Chastain and his daughter, Veronica who just happen to own 1/4 million acres in New Mexico Territory. There is an instant attraction between Veronica and Chance, and she is especially taken with his son Cole. Frank becomes a good friend to Chance, and teaches him the ways of ranching in this hard wilderness. The story is packed with details and takes an abrupt turn forcing big decisions. Plenty of prayer and presence of God. I cried a lot and really enjoyed it. Originally pub. in 2016 as an eNovella – but now available in the multi-author paperback collection ALL FOR LOVE . I now want to look into and read the rest of the series!
☆☆☆☆☆
Copy provided by Bethany House Publishing with no other compensation. I am not required to provide a favorable review and my opinion is my own.
October 1, 2018
This book takes you back to the Boden family, whom you will have met if you have read the others in this series, the Cimarron Legacy. This story is kind of a prequel to that series. It gives the story of how Chance and Veronica meet. This story is a delightful, sweet, romantic historical novel. It includes some suspense, and is a wonderful light read.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews