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Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch #2
The Ranger's Texas Proposal
A Wife for the Ranger
When Texas Ranger Heath Grayson agrees to investigate thefts at the boys ranch, he's also hoping to solve a decades-old murder his father's. Getting involved with pretty, pregnant widow and boys ranch volunteer Josie Markham is not on Heath's agenda. But the more time he spends with Josie, the harder it is to ignore their growing attraction. The somber ranger is convinced a wife and child are not in his future. But with a little help from the boys at the ranch, he may just realize a family is what he needs most of all.
When Texas Ranger Heath Grayson agrees to investigate thefts at the boys ranch, he's also hoping to solve a decades-old murder his father's. Getting involved with pretty, pregnant widow and boys ranch volunteer Josie Markham is not on Heath's agenda. But the more time he spends with Josie, the harder it is to ignore their growing attraction. The somber ranger is convinced a wife and child are not in his future. But with a little help from the boys at the ranch, he may just realize a family is what he needs most of all.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 18, 2016
44 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Keller
32 books68 followersJessica Keller is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of both Young Adult Fiction and Romance. If you're looking to interact with her on social media, she is most active on Instagram and has a Facebook author page.
Jessica can most often be found sipping an iced coffee while listening to an audiobook, working on her next novel, or attempting to gain her aloof cat's affection. She lives in the Midwest and is mom to the greatest kid in the world (though, she may be bias).
Jessica can most often be found sipping an iced coffee while listening to an audiobook, working on her next novel, or attempting to gain her aloof cat's affection. She lives in the Midwest and is mom to the greatest kid in the world (though, she may be bias).
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 28, 2021
Texas Ranger Heath Grayson is asked to investigate thefts at a boys ranch in Haven, Texas. (The same place his father was murdered fifteen years ago.) While he is there, he gets to know Josie Markham (a pregnant widow doing volunteer work at the boys ranch). Heath likes helping Josie around her ranch and he thinks she’s a kind and wonderful person, but he doesn’t want to get involved with anyone since his job is a dangerous one and he worries how his loved ones would cope if something happened to him (like his father, who also was a Texas Ranger). But can Heath resist Josie and the friendly people at the boys ranch?
This was a nice and pleasant read. I liked the main couple (Heath and Josie), and the boys at the ranch. I enjoyed the bit of mystery in the story with Heath still trying to solve his father’s long-ago murder. (Since they never found out who shot his dad). It was sweet how Heath got on with the boys at the ranch and how he was trying to teach them a bit about being a ranger. They all looked up to him. I also liked the surprise the boys had for Heath towards the end of the book. The story took place around Thanksgiving.
A heartwarming read by Jessica Keller.
This was a nice and pleasant read. I liked the main couple (Heath and Josie), and the boys at the ranch. I enjoyed the bit of mystery in the story with Heath still trying to solve his father’s long-ago murder. (Since they never found out who shot his dad). It was sweet how Heath got on with the boys at the ranch and how he was trying to teach them a bit about being a ranger. They all looked up to him. I also liked the surprise the boys had for Heath towards the end of the book. The story took place around Thanksgiving.
A heartwarming read by Jessica Keller.
February 21, 2020
A sweet romance with a mystery made this a super fun read! Enjoyed Jessica's writing and am eager to read more of her books.
November 17, 2016
3.5 stars
This line isn't a good fit for me; I find some of them too preachy. Overall, I enjoyed The Ranger's Texas Proposal, up until the points where the characters for divine intervention / guidance. My friends don't usually quote Bible verses to justify / promote behaviors, so it is jarring to me when it happens in these books, and that's about the point when I start skimming. I might read more entries in this mini-series because I like the concept, but the execution doesn't always work for me. Inspirational romances work much better for me when they are in a historical setting.
This line isn't a good fit for me; I find some of them too preachy. Overall, I enjoyed The Ranger's Texas Proposal, up until the points where the characters for divine intervention / guidance. My friends don't usually quote Bible verses to justify / promote behaviors, so it is jarring to me when it happens in these books, and that's about the point when I start skimming. I might read more entries in this mini-series because I like the concept, but the execution doesn't always work for me. Inspirational romances work much better for me when they are in a historical setting.
September 27, 2019
This book will hit you right in the heart! 2 people who have lead hard lives find each other, reject each other then find out how much they need each other. Its a really heartwarming story. It really is about living for today and not worrying about what will happen tomorrow, remembering today is a gift and should be enjoyed.
November 1, 2016
The Ranger's Texas Proposal A Lone Star Cowboy League series by Jessica Keller. It takes place at the Lone Star League Boys Ranch for troubled boys or bad family life. Josie Markham is a volunteer at the ranch. She is pregnant and her husband was killed. Trouble in the town and at the ranch has been happening and some people are blaming the boys at the ranch. Texas Ranger Heath Grayson is a friend of one of the head workers at the ranch. He asked Heath to come and see what he can about what is going on. Plus Heath's dad was killed at the ranch 15 years ago and the killer was never caught. Heath is working on that case also. He ends up meeting Josie and helping her at her little place and they end up liking each other, but things standing between them. We still don't know who is doing thing in town and at the ranch, but we do find out who killed Heath's dad.
August 25, 2017
This book was a very fun read! I loved the western ranch theme. The author did a fabulous job of weaving together a fun romantic story with some deep themes of trust and forgiveness and the true meaning of love
July 7, 2020
A sweet book that will leave you with a happy contented feeling. I thought the writer did a good job of giving the characters depth and development in a short book. I look forward to reading more books by Jessica.
September 13, 2019
Loved it. Will be re-read that book again
August 20, 2020
Loved it!
March 18, 2021
I liked how there were characters I knew from previous books, and the book got more intresting twards the end, even though it's a good book as a whole.
April 21, 2024
so good
This a great story about forgiveness and love. The characters are great the story is well written and beautiful . I’m glad to be reading this series on to the next one
This a great story about forgiveness and love. The characters are great the story is well written and beautiful . I’m glad to be reading this series on to the next one
December 8, 2025
Good book. Ranger lost father afraid to fall in love and have family lose him.
May 19, 2017
These two characters were so perfect for each other! Josie is a doll. I loved Heath! Such a gentleman! The matchmakers are at it again. Something fishy going on with Avery Culpepper, the heiress to part of the new boys ranch.
November 3, 2016
Texas Ranger Heath Grayson’s vowed to solve the cold case file of his father’s death fifteen years ago in the line of duty. He’s also vowed to never marry or have children to avoid risk of leaving both a widow and an orphan. He’s kept his emotions closed off to avoid getting close to anyone, friend or family for personal reasons. That is, until his forced months’ vacation time where he meets Josie Markham, a volunteer at the Lone Star Boys Ranch where his dad was killed. Widowed and pregnant, he helps with the ranch chores as a way to help her and investigate his dads case at the same time. Josie’s a spitfire and is determined to make the Ranch a safe haven for troubled boys who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance in society to make their lives right. The more these two spend time together, the more hope arises for love and a possible future together! Has God made a way for second chances for everyone at the Ranch, including stirring up a romance?
What I love about this author is the way she invests her readers in a story. How she makes the characters so real that they feel like part of your life. You experience everything they do, all the emotions they feel—joy, elation, sadness and pain. I loved the comradery between the boys and Heath as he teaches them and takes each one under his wing. You can see the pride in their eyes as Heath lavishes praise on each one. It wasn’t so at first, as Heath’s line of work taints his view of troubled teens. But the more time he spends with them, the more he begins to see the goodness in each one. And how they strive to be better with each day. Josie’s such a delight! Even though she too lost her dad, her reliance of God to give her joy in the midst of ashes and piece the brokenness of her life into something even more beautiful is refreshing to me as a fellow Christian. It reminds me that even when things don’t go my way or pain comes into my own life, I have a Savoir I can cling to! The way the author weaves faith into the story is another thing I love about her. It’s a natural part of the story, never forced or fake. I love the whole side-cast of characters and want to have each one of the books in the Lone Star Cowboy League series so I can read their stories as well. And lastly, it was a good thing I had a box of Kleenex next to me as I needed it throughout the story, I so love when an author can make me feel so much! If you enjoy stories of redemption, reconciliation, second-chances with a natural flowing faith-theme, then you don’t want to miss this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this by the author & wasn’t required to leave a favorable review. All views and opinions are strictly my own*
What I love about this author is the way she invests her readers in a story. How she makes the characters so real that they feel like part of your life. You experience everything they do, all the emotions they feel—joy, elation, sadness and pain. I loved the comradery between the boys and Heath as he teaches them and takes each one under his wing. You can see the pride in their eyes as Heath lavishes praise on each one. It wasn’t so at first, as Heath’s line of work taints his view of troubled teens. But the more time he spends with them, the more he begins to see the goodness in each one. And how they strive to be better with each day. Josie’s such a delight! Even though she too lost her dad, her reliance of God to give her joy in the midst of ashes and piece the brokenness of her life into something even more beautiful is refreshing to me as a fellow Christian. It reminds me that even when things don’t go my way or pain comes into my own life, I have a Savoir I can cling to! The way the author weaves faith into the story is another thing I love about her. It’s a natural part of the story, never forced or fake. I love the whole side-cast of characters and want to have each one of the books in the Lone Star Cowboy League series so I can read their stories as well. And lastly, it was a good thing I had a box of Kleenex next to me as I needed it throughout the story, I so love when an author can make me feel so much! If you enjoy stories of redemption, reconciliation, second-chances with a natural flowing faith-theme, then you don’t want to miss this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this by the author & wasn’t required to leave a favorable review. All views and opinions are strictly my own*
October 26, 2016
Texas Ranger Heath Grayson is on a forced vacation, so he goes to the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch to see a friend and he looks into thefts that are happening on the ranch and he is also looking into his father's murder.
Josie Markham's husband was killed on the job and Josie is left pregnant and trying to start up her own ranch while volunteering at the boy's ranch.
Heath stops at Josie's farm before heading to the boy's ranch to get information about the thefts. When he sees her doing the chores, he helps her out. So everyday on his way to the boy's ranch he stops at Josie's and does the chores and they have breakfast together and Heath drives Josie to the ranch because her truck needs to be fixed.
Heath starts a detection class for the boys at the ranch and they have to figure out an investigation and when they solve it, it happens to be the cook who stole the ice cream maker so in the end the boys helped make ice cream has a treat for solving the case.
Heath goes to where the boy's camp use to be to see if he can find any new leads in his father's murder. When one of the boys at the ranch says that the floors in the one barn lofts sounded hollow so Heath checked it out and found a gun and lots of drugs so since he was on vacation he called in some of the other Texas Rangers and it turns out that a volunteers was running drugs out of the ranch and Heath's Dad found out the guy killed him before he called say anything. Some of the boys at the ranch plan a memorial to honor Heath's Dad since Heath's Mom didn't want anything at the time.
Thanksgiving comes and there is a a big dinner at the boy's ranch that Josie helped get ready and that Heath was suppose to attend but Josie told him to leave since his father's case was solved and nothing more came of the thefts so he leaves but both of them wish they were together. At the start Josie didn't want to have a relationship with Heath because her husband was in law enforcement when he was killed. Heath doesn't want a relationship either in case something would happen to him and his family would have to deal with his loss like he did when his father was murdered. Friends and family told Heath that no one is guaranteed tomorrow and if you love someone to tell them. So Heath surprises everyone and come to the Thanksgiving meal and before everything starts he asked Josie to marry him and that he would bee the baby's father.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Josie Markham's husband was killed on the job and Josie is left pregnant and trying to start up her own ranch while volunteering at the boy's ranch.
Heath stops at Josie's farm before heading to the boy's ranch to get information about the thefts. When he sees her doing the chores, he helps her out. So everyday on his way to the boy's ranch he stops at Josie's and does the chores and they have breakfast together and Heath drives Josie to the ranch because her truck needs to be fixed.
Heath starts a detection class for the boys at the ranch and they have to figure out an investigation and when they solve it, it happens to be the cook who stole the ice cream maker so in the end the boys helped make ice cream has a treat for solving the case.
Heath goes to where the boy's camp use to be to see if he can find any new leads in his father's murder. When one of the boys at the ranch says that the floors in the one barn lofts sounded hollow so Heath checked it out and found a gun and lots of drugs so since he was on vacation he called in some of the other Texas Rangers and it turns out that a volunteers was running drugs out of the ranch and Heath's Dad found out the guy killed him before he called say anything. Some of the boys at the ranch plan a memorial to honor Heath's Dad since Heath's Mom didn't want anything at the time.
Thanksgiving comes and there is a a big dinner at the boy's ranch that Josie helped get ready and that Heath was suppose to attend but Josie told him to leave since his father's case was solved and nothing more came of the thefts so he leaves but both of them wish they were together. At the start Josie didn't want to have a relationship with Heath because her husband was in law enforcement when he was killed. Heath doesn't want a relationship either in case something would happen to him and his family would have to deal with his loss like he did when his father was murdered. Friends and family told Heath that no one is guaranteed tomorrow and if you love someone to tell them. So Heath surprises everyone and come to the Thanksgiving meal and before everything starts he asked Josie to marry him and that he would bee the baby's father.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2016
This is the second book in the continuity series Lone Star Cowboy League. I don't think I've ever read any of Jessica's books but I did really like this one. This book is well written, humorous, and heart warming. I loved it.
Widow Josie Markham is a volunteer at boys ranch. Her husband was a law enforcement officer that was killed in the line of duty but it wasn't a happy marriage. He was in the process of leaving her for not being able to give him a family when he died. Shorty after his death she realized she was carrying his child. His gambling addiction had left her with nothing but a little farm that she had inherited. Now she was determined to make a working farm out of it. Now a Texas Ranger on vacation was taking over her life. How can she protect herself from this hunk?
Texas Ranger Heath Grayson is forced to take a month long vacation so he agrees to investigates an incident at the boys ranch. His father was killed at that ranch over a decade ago so while he is there he plans to solve the cold case. He didn't plan and falling in love with the pregnant beauty. He had always promised himself to stay single and never put a wife or child through what he went through. Now he is head over heels in love with a woman who wants nothing to do with law enforcement.
A journey of two heart broken individuals struggling to survive their past. God has a plan for these two. A plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Just turn your heart over to Him and let Him take control. God bless you all.
Widow Josie Markham is a volunteer at boys ranch. Her husband was a law enforcement officer that was killed in the line of duty but it wasn't a happy marriage. He was in the process of leaving her for not being able to give him a family when he died. Shorty after his death she realized she was carrying his child. His gambling addiction had left her with nothing but a little farm that she had inherited. Now she was determined to make a working farm out of it. Now a Texas Ranger on vacation was taking over her life. How can she protect herself from this hunk?
Texas Ranger Heath Grayson is forced to take a month long vacation so he agrees to investigates an incident at the boys ranch. His father was killed at that ranch over a decade ago so while he is there he plans to solve the cold case. He didn't plan and falling in love with the pregnant beauty. He had always promised himself to stay single and never put a wife or child through what he went through. Now he is head over heels in love with a woman who wants nothing to do with law enforcement.
A journey of two heart broken individuals struggling to survive their past. God has a plan for these two. A plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Just turn your heart over to Him and let Him take control. God bless you all.
November 28, 2016
Heath Grayson is a Texas ranger who is driven to solve his father's murder. He has been asked to investigate some mysterious events that has taken placed at a ranch for troubled boys. This ranch happens to be the same ranch that his father was murdered at years ago. Because of his dangerous job, Heath have vowed never to marry or have a family. Josie Markham is a pregnant widow that volunteers at the boys ranch. Her husband was a police officer so she has vowed never to get involved in a man that is in law enforcement. When Josie isn't volunteering at the ranch ,she is struggling to run her own ranch so she can provide for her child and herself. Will Heath solve his dad's murder and figure out who is behind the events that are taking place at the ranch? Will he learn how to let people in again? Will Josie get over her husband's death and rejection?
I loved this book . Both Heath and Josie has to learn how to let people in again. Heath was so driven to solve his father's murder that he was missing out on life. Josie had been hurt so badly by her husband that it seemed to keep her from moving on with her life . I enjoyed the backdrop of the boy's ranch and how this ranch brought these two together. The ranch is not only healing for the boys but it is also healing for Heath and Josie . It was refreshing to read something positive about law enforcement officers. A Texas ranger always makes a good hero.
I loved this book . Both Heath and Josie has to learn how to let people in again. Heath was so driven to solve his father's murder that he was missing out on life. Josie had been hurt so badly by her husband that it seemed to keep her from moving on with her life . I enjoyed the backdrop of the boy's ranch and how this ranch brought these two together. The ranch is not only healing for the boys but it is also healing for Heath and Josie . It was refreshing to read something positive about law enforcement officers. A Texas ranger always makes a good hero.
October 29, 2016
Heath is on a forced vacation from work and decides to help a friend out while investigating his father's murder. He meets Josie and after realizing that she is trying to start a ranch by herself even though she is alone and 6 months pregnant, he is determined that while he is in the area he will help her out. She reminds him of his younger sister Nell. Heath is a natural protector. Josie is hurting from the lost of her husband and his betrayal. Josie convinces Heath to help out on the Ranch for trouble boys and Heath starts to bond. Heath and Josie are falling in love too. Can Josie love another lawman? Will Heath get past his fear of leaving a family to suffer if he is killed in the line of duty?
November 29, 2016
This was the first book that I have read by Ms. Keller and I enjoyed it very much.
Josie is a widow who is pregnant with her husband's child. Her husband was a police officer and killed in the line of duty. She helps run a ranch for boys in the hopes of helping them to find a healthy road in life.
Heath is a Texas Ranger who was asked by his friend to look into some acts of vandalism that have been happening at the ranch. While he is there he will looking into the death of his father that happened 15 years ago and has gone cold.
Josie and Heath though both determined to ignore the attraction can't help but realize that that is a losing battle.
This was a quick paced story and look forward to reading more from Ms. Keller.
Josie is a widow who is pregnant with her husband's child. Her husband was a police officer and killed in the line of duty. She helps run a ranch for boys in the hopes of helping them to find a healthy road in life.
Heath is a Texas Ranger who was asked by his friend to look into some acts of vandalism that have been happening at the ranch. While he is there he will looking into the death of his father that happened 15 years ago and has gone cold.
Josie and Heath though both determined to ignore the attraction can't help but realize that that is a losing battle.
This was a quick paced story and look forward to reading more from Ms. Keller.
November 12, 2016
The Ranger’s Texas Proposal is a delightful blend of mystery and romance! Heath and Josie are vulnerable characters, and I enjoyed spending time with them as their emotional story unfolded. With a bit of help from the residents of the boys ranch, these two come to realize that there is no guarantee of tomorrow and life must be lived today.
I enjoyed The Ranger’s Texas Proposal and look forward to continuing the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch series. The Ranger’s Texas Proposal is the second book in the continuity series, but it can be read as a stand-alone story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.
I enjoyed The Ranger’s Texas Proposal and look forward to continuing the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch series. The Ranger’s Texas Proposal is the second book in the continuity series, but it can be read as a stand-alone story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.
November 2, 2016
Such Sweetness
I enjoyed getting to know all the young boys at the ranch. They’ll truly win your heart.
But what I loved, loved was everything having to do with Heath and Josie. It was never a dull moment, from farm chores to pregnancy doctor’s appointment to some little matchmakers hard at work, it only got better with each chapter. The Texas Ranger/police side of the story felt like real life, and the investigation added a nice little mystery to the storyline.
Finding out where your true worth is never looked better.
I received an ARC.
I enjoyed getting to know all the young boys at the ranch. They’ll truly win your heart.
But what I loved, loved was everything having to do with Heath and Josie. It was never a dull moment, from farm chores to pregnancy doctor’s appointment to some little matchmakers hard at work, it only got better with each chapter. The Texas Ranger/police side of the story felt like real life, and the investigation added a nice little mystery to the storyline.
Finding out where your true worth is never looked better.
I received an ARC.
October 31, 2016
Wow, what a great romance novel. It had just enough suspense, that it kept you guessing as to what would happen next. It had good clean romance. It also told of two people trying to find their way back to the Lord through hard ships they had experienced. I loved this story by Jessica Keller and would highly recommend it to others.
November 14, 2016
Quick, easy read. The characters were likeable, the story moved at just the right pace, and the moral of the story was on point. I'm hoping to see Heath & Josie in future Lone Star Cowboy League books so we can catch up on what's going on with them. Heath should, in my opinion, continue to work with the boys at the ranch given how much he connected with them.
July 4, 2018
This was charming. I received this in a box with other books, so it's not the type of book I would normally read. It was nice to read something different. Readers who like gentle romances will enjoy this.
August 30, 2016
As are all Love Inspired books, another great read. But it drives me crazy when the cover photo doesn't match up with the story.
November 4, 2016
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The review is my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews