A Rancher of Convenience

Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years #3

by Regina Scott

Fill-In Father…and Husband  

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage… 

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

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

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 6, 2016

About the author

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing. Since her first Regency romance was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages including Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. She is now the author of more than 50 works of warm, witty historical romance.

She and her husband of 30 years reside in Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier. Regina Scott has driven four in hand, learned to fence, sailed on a tall ship, and dressed as a Regency dandy, all in the name of research, of course. Sign up for her free alert service to hear when the next book will be out or on sale at https://subscribe.reginascott.com/. You can find her online blogging at www.nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at www.reginascott.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott .

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is unique in the fact that it doesn't start out with Nancy becoming a mail-order bride. That's already happened and when her husband is killed, she's left to save the ranch, learning a lot about her husband that she had no clue about. Foreman Hank is prepared to help Nancy with the ranch, but when the bank puts the pressure on, he proposes to her.

Hank is as steady as they come and a very admirable man. With a baby on the way, he's determined to be a great father. I love how he remembers the manners his mother taught him. Nancy is willing to learn all she can to stand on her own, but this arrangement works out nicely. As they each come to terms with their pasts, they forge on to shape their future together. There is an underlying thread of mystery and suspense, but the overall feeling throughout this book is very sweet, tender, and heartwarming.

This is the type of story that makes me long to live in simpler times on a ranch. Although life is busy and hard, it's satisfying and rewarding. The relationships are based on mutual respect and when a romance does blossom, it's endearing, and the friendships are full of loyalty. My heart loves these kinds of books. This author does a good job of bringing these feelings to the story and of making the characters come to life.

Content: mild romance; mild violence; mild religious elements.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a Regina Scott fan for several years now, only discovering her towards the end of her series, The Master Matchmakers. I adore her Regency romances, but lately her writing has been set in other periods; even though my favorite genre is what drew me initially, her writing is so enjoyable that I willingly read whatever she has out as soon as I can. While I have liked Regina Scott’s novels in the past, this one had just a touch of something more that makes it one of her best!

It’s hard to explain. I can’t say that any of her other books have been lacking, but this one has had me smiling more consistently and thinking about the book even when not reading it. If I have to pin it down, I think it’s something about the characters: they touch me in a deeper way, striking a chord and continuing to do so even after I have turned the final page.

Maybe it’s Nancy’s vulnerability of expecting a child even as she unexpectedly finds herself a widow. Personally, I remember those feelings of uneasiness and extra caution while I was pregnant, wanting to do everything possible to keep my child safe from anything that might harm her. But during this time in history, an unprotected, expectant widow was in dire straits, or could be with no one to look out for her. With no family left, she is in a precarious situation.

Or perhaps it relates to Hank living under the weight of unmet expectations. We can all understand disappointing our parents at one point or another, but to have that perpetually hanging over my head would be unbearable.

This particular story contains a lot of humor; some of it is intentional on the part of the characters with jokes and the like. But by far, the best of it comes from Hank’s incredible ability to try complimenting his new wife only to have it come across as an insult—at least it would to any woman other than Nancy, who takes it in her stride and jokes back with her stranger-husband.

The relationship between them develops in a realistic manner with lots of sweet moments to counteract the challenging ones. And the spiritual component is beautifully done in this novel, too; prayer plays an important role, real prayer that comes from the heart. I loved how both characters were willing to learn from the other, in matters of faith as well as ranching, child rearing, and love.

The characters in Scott’s latest are personable and likable with traits that make them both vulnerable and endearing. The plot has elements of mail-order bride and second-chance love, even a little mystery, and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy these kinds of stories. Really, any reader who appreciates a well-written historical romance, regardless of favorite genre, will likely enjoy this novel by Regina Scott!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to facilitate this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the twist of a former mail-order bride entering a new marriage of convenience. Nancy and Hank already admire each other from working together on the ranch, but both have a fear of trusting their heart to another again. Their affection grows to stronger romantic feelings gradually as they unite purposes to save the ranch as an inheritance for her baby. Together they face the threat of foreclosure, more rustlers, the truth of Lucas' death, and demands from Hank's family. The other ranch hands and their friends in the small community provide support and help them see that a true marriage is something of value that is worth striving for. I loved the sweetness and respect in Nancy and Hank's relationship. They helped each other recognize that they deserved love and that they could find it together. While the overall pace was somewhat slow, the descriptions of the setting and details of the time period made it easy to envision, and the romance between Nancy and Hank didn't feel rushed, but had time to develop naturally. The strongest theme of the story is the importance of family.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story so much! A Rancher of Convenience is the third book in a continuity series, yet is easily able to be read as a stand alone. I had not read the prior books in the series and had no trouble following along.

I really liked Nancy and Hank. The marriage of convenience that they agreed to added a sweet, romantic tension to the book. The worries they both dealt with regarding being worthy of each other added a nice realism to the story. I enjoyed seeing their love blossom.

I definitely recommend A Rancher of Convenience to those who enjoy books set in the old west, as well as marriage of convenience fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Anna M (readwithanna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all of the problems solved with what felt like little conflict or consequence. This is a mass market Christian novel under 300 pages, so that is to be expected. Overall, sweet and with one of my favorite romance tropes - marriage of convenience. All good for a Christian novel, in my opinion, because it wasn't too preachy. It seemed period-appropriate for a story taking place in 1890s Texas.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with intriguing characters readers will root for, hoping their marriage of convenience becomes a love match.

[Esther Somorai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
Thank you for the chance to win this book from GoodReads, first-reads giveaway and Regina Scott.

I did like the basic story very much. I would have liked to see more depth in each main character that would make a deeper, more positive impact to stir the soul of the reader.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first novel by Regina Scott so i was not sure what to expect. But i had seen friends say that they enjoyed her books so when an opportunity came to read and review one, I jumped on it! I thoroughly enjoyed A Rancher of Convenience. I loved the setting and the time period. I also very much enjoyed the love story that developed between the main characters. I would recommend this book for fans of historical fiction especially fans of Old West Texas and ranchers/cowboys.. This will definitely not be my last book by this author. 4 stars!

*****A big thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rancher Of Convenience is the third and last book in Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years series by Regina Scott. Takes place in 1895 in Texas. The second book said who was stealing the cattle, and they got him. This one goes for the person in charge of stealing the cattle and why he was doing it. Hank Snowden and his now wife Nancy Bennett Snowden go to visit Hanks family because his dad is very sick. A happy ending. A good read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rancher of Convenience is the third installment from the Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years series. I thought this book to be a sweet story. Also, has a wonderful lesson of moving on a redeeming yourself. Highly recommended. 5+ stars

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a book leaves you with a smile on your face, then it was worth reading. 😊 I really enjoyed reading about Hank and Nancy's unconventional road to love. Both of them were dealing with so much on their own (and not getting anywhere) but when they teamed up together they got exactly what they both needed. I was a bit surprised at the ending (I thought they would stick around).

[Ellen Senechal · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were several things I didn't necessarily agree with/like, but I think my biggest disappointment was that we never got to see Nancy have her baby!! Was it a boy? Did they keep the name Ben? I looked forward to the birth the whole time I was reading, only to have the book conclude without it 😭

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this series, finally got to read one of the founding years

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!!

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Regina Scott's. I enjoyed this marriage of convenience story. Nancy needed a husband and father to her child, Hank felt guilty for being the one to put her in that position, so he offers to marry her and be the baby's pa. She agrees if he will teach her about ranching. Slowly over time they get to know one another. Each one has issues they each need to work out from their past. She was abused by her former husband. Hank has a broken relationship with his father and hasn't talked to his family in 5 years. Hank is still trying to find the accomplices in the rustling ring. There is much to work out here.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. The views here are my own.)

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is as sweet and slow as molasses dripped over warm pancakes. It has about as much tension, too. In spite of the threat of losing her ranch or having her cattle rustled, the romance is what’s front and center in this story and it’s so lukewarm you run the risk of nodding off halfway through the book.

There’s lots of talk about God in this book and, as an atheist, such mentions always produce a sinking feeling in me. Piety evidently doesn’t accord with sexual passion and there’s no sex in this book whatsoever. Young Nancy Bennett is a pregnant widow at the start of this tale so you know she’s had conjugal relations. But she might as well have conceived the baby by immaculate conception given the little sensuousness she exudes. Prayers to God are dropped like boulders throughout the text and they bring nothing to the story. It’s like an action movie that stops dead so an insignificant character can give us his story

Oddly enough, it’s her dead husband Lucas Bennett who provides the engine, the drive and the heat lacking elsewhere in the story. We get a picture of him by all that the neighbors say about him and the little that Nancy lets drop in her inner dialogue. He was a handsome charmer, good to the neighbors, having loads of friends and good at running the hard work on his ranch. He was also abusive, moody, ill tempered, criminally minded, unsatisfied, restless and addicted to gambling. He comes off as just as much a well-rounded character as anyone else in the story. We get some of his backstory and that’s a good thing; otherwise, I would have spent much of the novel wondering about him and how he and Nancy met.

Hank Snowden has his own demons to lay to rest. He’s a decent sort, with his own moods and flaws, and I liked his gentlemanly manners. But he’s no kind of foil for Nancy, only a good ole boy stepping up to help her run her ranch. Since they come together so easily, the lengthy romance doesn’t quite make sense. But I suppose his guilt has something to do with that.

While the tenderness inherent in this story places it a notch above other recent romances I’ve read where the men can’t treat the women with any kind of civility, the dearth of actual erotic craving leaves me cold.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy and Hank were such great characters and I loved their story. Regina Scott did an amazing job contributing to this continuity series. Love all her books. This one ends the first series. We'll see how the Love Inspired did on their contribution.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rancher of Convenience by Regina Scott
Lone Star Cowboy League: The Foundling Years Series Book Three
Nancy Bennett finds herself a widow after only ten months. And with child. She is determined to save the ranch for her child. When unexpected difficulties come up, she needs a man's help to survive.

Hank Snowden feels guilty for the death of his boss. He sees an opportunity to redeem himself by helping Mrs. Bennett. She needs his help as the foreman and the protection of his name, so he suggests a marriage in name only.

Hank wants to do more than help the ranch and Nancy, he also wants to catch the man his late boss must have been working with. Nancy is determined not to lose another husband. The two need to work together and build trust. Something not easily done by a widow fooled by her late husband and a man whose trust in women from the past doesn't bode well for trusting one in the present.
**Received from author for an honest review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler--and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage...

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by theman's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation...if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.


MY REVIEW
I have enjoyed many of Regina's books and this one was just as enjoyable. I loved the story line and how she told the story. You get pulled into the book and want to read quickly. There are a few twists to keep you interested. I can recommend this as a good read if you like Inspirational Historical Romance books.

I was given this book by Regina as a member of her review team for an honest review.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a typical reader of romance but I decided to give this book a try. I was pleasantly surprised to find the story very enjoyable. The author did a great job digging into the heart of the characters and having their personalities shine through the pages .

This is a nice twist on a marriage of convenience and mail order bride story. I found it to be a sweet book focusing on trust, faith and love. What really caught my attention were the neighbors in Little Horn. They chose not to judge Nancy based on her husband's actions. Having a community being supportive is something we all long for but don't always find.

My favorite character was Hank Snowden. He came across as a very caring and sensitive man, seeing the beauty on the inside of people. Hank's faith and desire to put other's well-being in front of his own was commendable.

If you enjoy historical romance you'll likely find this to be a delightful read.

I received a copy of A Rancher of Convenience from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

[Jordann · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the idea of a good period drama, especially one that takes place in the late 1800’s with a Texas ranch as the backdrop, then this is the book for you!

The story line matches the title perfectly. An expecting rancher’s wife suddenly finds herself an expecting widow, after her husband is shot and killed for cattle rustling. Left to run a ranch which she knows nothing about, Nancy is on the brink of despair until foreman Hank Snowden enters the picture. From there the two embark on an adventure, overcoming obstacles such as trust, past relationships, and family. This whirlwind exploration leads the pair to find something that they both had given up on: love.

Although I haven’t read many books by Regina Scott, she is fastly becoming one of my favorite authors. There are so many things that I enjoy about her books that the only negative is that the end of the book always comes too soon, leaving me wanting more of the story!

*I received a complimentary copy of A Rancher of Convenience in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenn Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the strongest book in the series, and although it can be read as a standalone, I recommend at least reading A Family for the Rancher, as it sets up the events in this story. While they are summarized well, I think it made a greater impact to actually read the events myself.

The hero and heroine in this story were flawed, but had open communication that made their relationship grow in a believable and strong way. I loved that they were able to support each other and I loved the way they were able to put the past behind them and move forward into a new future together. The ending made me both happy and sad for them, as they began a new, unexpected chapter in their lives.

I definitely recommend this three book series for anyone who enjoys historical westerns.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regina Scott is a splendid storyteller, and I loved her fresh twist on this marriage of convenience story! A Rancher of Convenience takes readers to Texas in the late 1800s, and I enjoyed the bits of history of my home state. I also delighted in the wonderful characterization and the development of Nancy and Hank’s sweet story. Humorous and heartwarming, A Rancher of Convenience charmed me from beginning to end!

Although this is the third book in the Lone Star Cowboy League continuity series, A Rancher of Convenience is a story that can easily stand alone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Kimberly Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

Ever wonder what it is like to find out your husband is on the wrong side of the law? To be widowed, pregnant, and thought to be incompetent, the main character shows how strong she is. To face this battle and prove everyone wrong, she trams up with the ranch foreman. Their marriage of convenience is questioned. They prove to be a strong team with a delightful love story. Just read it, you won't regret it. Just make and re you read these books in the correct order in the series, otherwise it is spoiled.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Regina, and I really enjoyed it. It is a great historical romance with some mystery and suspense woven into it. Some of my favorite quotes are: "The only person responsible for your happiness can be you." And: "...not what's outside that makes a woman beautiful. It's what's in her heart." and: "Isn't that what we want for our children...that they will learn and grow and go on to greater things."

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long enjoyed Regina Scott's books. She is a good writer, crafting characters that seem real, situations that are the same and a little bit of mystery thrown in the mix to liven it up.
This is book 3 in the Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years and I think her fans will enjoy it as her other books.


*I was given a preview copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a bit different than the usual mail-order bride stories, so I found it held my attention. The characters were well defined and the people of the town and ranch hands fleshed out, so that you came to like them, as well as our couple. I had not read any of the authors westerns, but will now, starting with the others in this series.

[Brenda- · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story. I was glad to see that they solved problems and the bad guys didn't win in the end. After working their way through different kinds of things, it still turned out good for Nancy and for Hank.

[Glaidene Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Western Romance

I have always enjoyed Regina Scott books. This one I rated 5 star's!!!!! I haven't read the other stories in this series. I will in time. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!!!!